What is the difference?
Polyamory vs Polygamy
Polyamory and polygamy both involve more than two people and share the Greek prefix "poly", so they are often confused. Polyamory describes consensual loving relationships with more than one person; polygamy describes marriage to more than one spouse, usually within a religious, cultural or legal tradition.
Polyamory
The practice of, or openness to, having more than one loving, committed relationship at a time, with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved.
Full entryPolygamy
Marriage to more than one spouse at the same time, usually within a religious, cultural or legal tradition.
Full entrySide by side
In short
Polyamory is about consensual loving relationships with several people, usually outside marriage; polygamy is about having several spouses, usually within a tradition.
What they have in common
Both involve more than two people in a committed arrangement, and both can be judged harshly by people who assume monogamy is the only valid model.
More comparisons
- PolyamoryvsOpen relationshipPolyamory is about loving more than one person; an open relationship is a couple opening their door to others. The two can overlap, and people choose the label that fits their arrangement.
- SwingingvsPolyamorySwinging is a couple sharing sexual openness; polyamory is loving more than one person. Some people do both, and the labels describe emphasis rather than strict boundaries.
- Affirmative consentvsEnthusiastic consentAffirmative consent is about getting a clear yes; enthusiastic consent goes a step further and cares whether that yes is truly wanted.
- Anxious attachmentvsAvoidant attachmentAnxious attachment leans in and needs reassurance; avoidant attachment leans out and needs space. Both people usually care deeply; they simply protect themselves in opposite ways.
Last reviewed 16 October 2026. Spotted a mistake?