Polyamory
Polyamory is the practice of having multiple romantic relationships at the same time, with everyone's informed consent. It prioritizes open communication and ethical commitment over secrecy.
Not to be confused with: Consensually Nonmonogamous
Polyamory is the practice of engaging in multiple romantic relationships simultaneously, with the informed consent of all partners involved. It emphasizes open communication, emotional commitment, and ethical engagement rather than secrecy. Originating from the Greek 'poly' (many) and Latin 'amor' (love), it distinguishes itself from monogamy by allowing individuals to form loving bonds with more than one person while maintaining honesty and agreement within the relationship network.
What this means in real life
A person might be in a committed relationship with Partner A while also dating Partner B, with both partners fully aware of and agreeing to the arrangement. All three may spend time together or separately, depending on their agreed boundaries.
What it isn’t
Polyamory is not cheating or infidelity—the defining feature is that all partners consent and know about the other relationships. It's also not the same as an open relationship, which typically involves one committed couple allowing outside sexual contact.
Commonly misused online
Social media often conflates polyamory with promiscuity or treats it as purely sexual rather than romantic. Some use it loosely to mean 'dating around' without emphasizing the consent and communication that define the practice.
Based on 1 reference source, including NIH material. Last verified July 12, 2026.