Polyamory (from Greek πολύ poly, "many", and Latin amor, "love") is the practice of, or desire for, intimate relationships with more than one partner, with the informed¹ consent of all partners involved.² It emphasises honesty, communication, and ethical behaviour among all individuals in the relationship network.

Here's a breakdown of the key aspects:

• Multiple Partners: The core of polyamory is having or being open to having more than one romantic, sexual, or otherwise intimate partner at the same time.
• Informed Consent: This is a crucial element that distinguishes polyamory from cheating or infidelity. All partners involved are aware of and agree to the existence of other relationships. Open and honest communication is essential for maintaining ethical polyamorous relationships.
• Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM): Polyamory falls under the broader umbrella of ethical non-monogamy, which encompasses various forms of consensual non-monogamous relationships.
• Variety of Structures: Polyamorous relationships can take many forms. Some common structures include:
  • Triads (Throuples): Three people in a relationship with each other.
  • Quads: Four people in a relationship.
  • Vee: One person is romantically involved with two others who are not romantically involved with each other.
  • Polycules: A network of interconnected relationships.
  • Solo Polyamory: Being polyamorous but not currently seeking or having cohabiting or primary-style relationships.
  • Relationship Anarchy: A philosophy that rejects rigid relationship rules and hierarchies, focusing on individual connections and agreements.
• Love, Connection, and Commitment: Polyamorous relationships can involve deep emotional connections, love, and varying degrees of commitment, just like monogamous relationships.
• Not About Sex: While polyamory can include multiple sexual partners, it's fundamentally about the capacity for multiple loving and intimate relationships. Some polyamorous relationships may not involve sex at all.
• Communication and Negotiation: Successful polyamorous relationships rely heavily on open and honest communication, clear boundaries, and ongoing negotiation among all partners to ensure everyone's needs and feelings are respected.
• Distinction from Polygamy: Polygamy typically refers to the practice of having multiple spouses, often within a religious or cultural context, and historically often involves one man with multiple wives. Polyamory is not tied to specific religious or legal frameworks and can involve any gender configuration.

In essence, polyamory is a way of structuring intimate relationships based on the principles of consent, honesty, and the capacity for loving multiple people. It's a conscious choice to move beyond the traditional model of dyadic (two-person) relationships.