Polyamorous

Part of speech: adjective

Pronunciation: /ˌpɑliˈæmərəs/

Definitions

1. Describing a relationship dynamic that permits individuals to romantically connect with multiple partners concurrently, emphasizing honesty and consent among all involved individuals
2. Characterizing a style of partnership in which one engages in romantic and sexual relationships with several consenting partners, fostering transparency and mutual agreement
3. Pertaining to a relational approach where individuals maintain romantic connections with several partners at the same time, prioritizing openness and consent from all parties involved

Etymology: Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, a pagan writer and activist, is credited with the word's coinage in a 1990 article titled "A Bouquet of Lovers." Her term combined the Greek prefix "poly-", meaning "many," with the Latin-derived "amorous," which describes a person given to love or romance. The word was built to name something that had few existing labels: a relationship in which several people are open to loving more than one partner at once. The coinage shows its construction plainly. "Polyamorous" joins "poly-" to "amorous" and the English adjective-forming suffix "-ous," and it can also be read as a blend of "polyamory" and "-ous." Because the prefix is Greek and the base is Latin, the word is a hybrid, a pattern common in modern English vocabulary.

Synonyms: non-monogamous, open

Antonyms: monogamous