Polyfidelity - meaning and definition
Alsopolyfidelitousclosed polyamoryclosed polypolyfi
Definition
A polyamorous arrangement in which a fixed group of partners agree to be exclusive within the group.
At a glance
- Three or more partners who agree to be exclusive within their group.
- It is sometimes described as monogamy expanded beyond two people.
- Adding a new partner usually requires discussion with the whole group.
- Groups often need clear agreements about decisions, shared homes and leaving.
In detail
In polyfidelity, three or more people are romantically committed to one another and agree not to seek new partners outside the group, at least without discussion. It can be thought of as monogamy expanded to include more than two people.
Polyfidelitous groups may share a home, finances or child-raising, and they often need clear agreements about how decisions are made and what happens if someone wants to leave or add a partner.
In a sentence
- The three of us are polyfidelitous, so none of us dates outside the triad.
- We chose polyfidelity because we wanted the security of a closed group.
Where the word comes from
Associated with the Kerista community in San Francisco, which used the word from the 1970s for its closed group relationships.
Common questions
Is polyfidelity a type of polyamory?
Yes. It is a closed form of polyamory: everyone in the group is committed, and the group agrees not to seek outside partners without discussion.