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

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Etymology

Origin of polyamory

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

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Compare meaning

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

• polygamy vs. polyamory
• monogamy vs. polyamory

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

polyamory

“That does not describe how I practice polyamory at all,” Katz said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 4, 2026

This corner of Brooklyn is moving on to the next wave of gentrification: They’re culturally gentrifying the original gentrifiers, erasing the identity of precariously employed DJs who are experimenting with polyamory and microbangs.

From Slate ● Sep. 6, 2026

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

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

From BBC ● May 26, 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

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