polyamory

[pol-ee-am-er-ee]

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.

Other Word Forms

• polyamorist noun
• polyamorous adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of polyamory¹

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

Example Sentences

While we waited for them to join, we bonded over the standard first date questions for nonmonogamous queers: how we came out, how we discovered polyamory, what we were looking for and what our boundaries were.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s not just the promise and perils of polyamory or the societal pressures and logistical problems of starting a family whether through adoption or surrogacy, but also the relatable way that Noah and Margot tackle their mental health and mommy issues alike — with prescribed substances that drown out a world that encourages them to remain in arrested development.

From Los Angeles Times

Its online glossary includes a list of 31 desires, including polyamory, bondage and submission.

From BBC

“She’s Gotta Have It” is very much an exploration into polyamory at the dating level.

From Salon

Polyamory, as this Argentine comedy series showcases, is ripe for examination.

From Los Angeles Times