polyamory

American  

[pol-ee-am-er-ee] / ˌpɒl iˈæm ər i /

noun

1. the practice or condition of participating simultaneously in more than one serious romantic or sexual relationship with the knowledge and consent of all partners.

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Other Word Forms

• polyamorist
  noun
• polyamorous
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of polyamory

First recorded in 1990–95; poly- ( def. ) + Latin amor “love” ( see amorous ( def. )) + -y ³ ( def. ); patterned after polygamy ( def. )

Compare meaning

How does polyamory compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• polygamy vs. polyamory
• monogamy vs. polyamory

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polyamory

But for now, many families still face legal hurdles even in places where polyamory is becoming widely accepted.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 25, 2026

A YouGov survey for August 2023 suggests about 2% of those who responded said they were polyamory, and 10% responded saying they would be "open to it".

From BBC ● May 26, 2024

Psychologist and couples' therapist Louise Styles said polyamory encouraged some healthy relationship behaviours.

From BBC ● May 26, 2024

This early research and media coverage inadvertently fostered a perception that consensual nonmonogamy, and polyamory in particular, was practiced largely within affluent white communities.

From Slate ● May 5, 2024

And although the data can’t rule out a recent polyamory “fad” among the “ruling class,” the obsession with upper-class dalliances obscures a key fact: Most nonmonogamists aren’t rich and white.

From Slate ● May 5, 2024