polygamous

[ puh-lig-uh-muhs ]

/ pəˈlɪg ə məs /

Save This Word!

adjective

of, pertaining to, characterized by, or practicing polygamy; polygamic.

Botany. bearing both unisexual and hermaphrodite flowers on the same or on different plants of the same species.

COMPARE MEANINGS

Click for a side-by-side comparison of meanings. Use the word comparison feature to learn the differences between similar and commonly confused words.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of polygamous

From the Greek word polýgamos, dating back to 1605–15. See poly-, -gamous

OTHER WORDS FROM polygamous

po·lyg·a·mous·ly, adverb

Words nearby polygamous

polygala, polygalaceous, polygamic, polygamist, polygamophile, polygamous, polygamy, polygene, polygenesis, polygenetic, polygenic

How to use polygamous in a sentence

If you have someone who has lived a polygamous life, that would raise questions about their character and ability to obey the law.
Herman Cain Speaks on Sex and Politics|Leslie Bennetts|January 13, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Some of those polygamous seamstresses may have grown up with Heber Holm.
Polygamy Tourism|Terry Greene Sterling|November 8, 2009|DAILY BEAST
Such a lot of fuss is made in the world by ignoring the great fact that man is by nature both gregarious and polygamous.
The Way of a Man|Emerson Hough
It only shows how fascinating you are with the polygamous sex.
Four Days|Hetty Hemenway

Each herd was ruled by a polygamous monarch of the plains—a great chieftain elk!
Red Hunters And the Animal People|Charles A. Eastman
They are polygamous, associating in herds of a considerable size under the guidance of a single leader.
The New Gresham Encyclopedia|Various
They do not pair, but mate in small polygamous families—one male with from two to four females.
Our Domestic Birds|John H. Robinson