A relationship style in which having romantic or sexual connections with more than one other person is possible.
Nonhierarchical Polyamory
A relationship structure that doesn’t rank one relationship over another one. In this structure, one person doesn’t have power or influence over other relationships.
Novogamy
Novogamy is term coined by Dr. Jorge Ferrer in his book, Love & Freedom: Transcending Monogamy and Polyamory. Ferrer frames mono/poly as a relationship style binary, similar to the traditional male/female gender binary. Ferrer then describes moving beyond the mono/poly binary as a novel and plural relational field called novogamy. Novogamy is similar to relationship anarchy.
Further Reading
Old Relationship Energy
Open Relationship
Any relationship structure that is not monogamous. This can include polyamory, relationship anarchy, swinging, or any romantic or sexual connection that allows for other romantic or sexual connections.
Example
Robin and Charlie are married to each other and have an open relationship. Robin occasionally has sex with Ryley. Charlie has a long-term romantic relationship with Jaylin.
See Also
Parallel Polyamory
A relationship style in which the relationships with multiple partners stay very separate. Metamours don’t frequently interact. It is, perhaps, the opposite of kitchen table polyamory.
Further Reading
Paramour
Paramour (noun) – A lover. In polyamory you may have a romantic relationship with one or more lovers. Those lovers may or may not have romantic or platonic relationships with each other.
Example
Chris is in a romantic relationship with Dottie, and Chris is also in a romantic relationship with Dennis, Dawn, and Diva. All of them are Chris’ Paramours.
Polya
Polya is a proposed replacement for poly, as a shortened version of polyamorous.
Polyam
Polyam is a proposed replacement for poly, as a shortened version of polyamorous.
Further Reading
Polyamorist
Polyamorist (noun) – A person who practices polyamory.
Example
Dennis is married to Dawn. Dennis and Dawn are both romantically involved with Chris. Dennis, Dawn, and Chris are all polyamorists.