monogamic
Americanadjective
Usage
What does monogamic mean? Monogamic is a less common word for monogamous—having only one spouse, one sexual partner, or (in the case of animals) one mate. Monogamic is used to describe people and animals that practice monogamy or to describe their relationships or practices. The word monogamy most technically refers to the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time. It is also commonly used in a more general way to refer to the state of being in a romantic or sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Less commonly, monogamy can mean the practice of being married only once throughout one’s life. In the study of animals, monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate. A monogamic person can be called a monogamist. The term can also be applied to a person who advocates for monogamy. Example: Monogamy may be traditional in our modern society, but monogamic relationships haven’t always been the norm in every culture.
Etymology
Origin of monogamic
First recorded in 1830–40; monogam(y) + -ic
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As illustrations of our adherence to monogamic law, let me give some facts for comparison of America and continental Europe.
From Sex-education A series of lectures concerning knowledge of sex in its relation to human life by Bigelow, Maurice Alpheus
Love is the ruling principle of the monogamic family; from the narrower domestic circle it extends to the community and to all mankind.
From Society Its Origin and Development by Rowe, Henry Kalloch
Luther, though free from the lasciviousness of the old priesthood, was not monogamic in principle.
From History of Woman Suffrage, Volume I by Stanton, Elizabeth Cady
In contrast with these unfortunates, victims of will-to-power and self-centered passion, those in monogamic fellowship enlarge the life they share.
From The Good Housekeeping Marriage Book by Bigelow, William F. (William Frederick)
The existing monogamic relation is simply the outcome of the institution of private or individual property.
From British Socialism An Examination of Its Doctrines, Policy, Aims and Practical Proposals by Barker, J. Ellis
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
