threesome

[ three-suhm ]

noun

1. three forming a group.
2. something in which three persons participate, as certain games.
3. Golf. a match in which two players, playing alternately with one ball, compete against a third player who also plays one ball.
4. Also called three-way,. a sexual encounter with three participants.

adjective

1. consisting of three; threefold:

   a threesome consulting firm.

2. performed or played by three persons:

   a threesome game of catch.

threesome

/ ˈθriːsəm /

noun

1. a group of three
2. golf a match in which a single player playing his own ball competes against two others playing alternate strokes on the same ball
3. any game, etc, for three people
4. modifier performed by three

   a threesome game

Word History and Origins

Origin of threesome¹

First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English word thresum; three, -some ²

Example Sentences

She wants to sleep around, whereas he’s terrified by the idea of a threesome.

From Time

The aging star developed an infatuation with the handsome Stapley, creating a tense dynamic into the creative threesome.

From Washington Blade

RHOA mined season-long drama from an alleged threesome with a stripper at a bachelorette party.

From The Daily Beast

The threesome of Ball, Rozier and Graham stealthily ran roughshod over the NBA before Ball fractured his wrist on March 20.

From FiveThirtyEight

Reporting from Saigon in the early 1960s, he became known as one of the “fearless threesome” of Vietnam War correspondents.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• ménage à trois