threesome
Americannoun
-
threesomes
plural
-
three forming a group.
-
something in which three persons participate, as certain games.
-
Golf. a match in which two players, playing alternately with one ball, compete against a third player who also plays one ball.
-
Also called threeway, three-way, ménage à trois. a sexual encounter with three participants.
adjective
-
consisting of three; threefold.
a threesome consulting firm.
-
performed or played by three persons.
a threesome game of catch.
noun
-
a group of three
-
golf a match in which a single player playing his own ball competes against two others playing alternate strokes on the same ball
-
any game, etc, for three people
-
(modifier) performed by three
a threesome game
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of threesome
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English word thresum; see origin at three, -some 2
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.
See Examples For:
A couple of days later, with Lalas dispatched north for USMNT’s second game against Australia, the Fox panel returned as a threesome.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
“The Walkers,” at an hour, is longer than “Four Portraits” and “Night” combined, so those shorter pieces naturally feel like interludes, breaking up a work that would otherwise dominate the threesome.
From New York Times ● Mar. 26, 2023
The report takes pains to note that bad behavior by coaches is not limited to this threesome.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 9, 2022
Adding to the disappointment was Thompson being informed following the round that she had been fined for slow play as part of the final threesome that took 5 hours 45 minutes to complete 18 holes.
From Washington Post ● Jun. 27, 2022
Palmer noticed that Beans, Mutto and Henry always worked as a threesome.
From "Wringer" by Jerry Spinelli
While the initial rounds were played at a refreshing two-ball pace, the last lap was conducted in stodgy threesomes with half the field playing the back nine first.
From BBC ● Nov. 25, 2024
Players teed off in threesomes from both the front and back nine as tournament officials looked to squeeze in as much golf as possible.
From Washington Times ● Apr. 8, 2023
And on Sunday, in anticipation of foul weather, the rounds started earlier — the first at 7:30 — players were grouped in threesomes, and groups started on both No. 1 and 10.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2023
The leaders will tee off several hours earlier than scheduled with the final round featuring threesomes off split tees.
From Seattle Times ● Sep. 17, 2022
He teed another ball, and the threesomes had become a mere golf lesson, plus a clash of personalities.
From The Wrong Twin by Harry Leon Wilson
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.
