Glossary and Definitions for Polyamory & Ethical Non-Monogamy
Agreements – specific parameters designated by a couple describing how they will set up their non-
monogamous relationship.
Chosen Family – People without ancestral ties who consciously decide to create a family, or community
together. In some instances this means co-habitating but not necessarily.
Compersion – a feeling of joy when a loved one finds/gains/experiences pleasure from another romantic
or sexual relationship or encounter
Emotional Polyamory – the philosophy, practice, or state of having more than one “in-love” relationship
at the same time, with the full knowledge and consent of all partners involved
Ethical Non-Monogamy – the act of celebrating and expressing sexuality with more than one person,
while being open and honest with all parties involved
Golden Ticket – a limited pass to engage in sexual activity outside of a marriage or relationship, usually
with constraints on time, sexual activities, and certain people
LGBT – an acronym standing for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgendered
Love Template – a description of specific actions that make a particular person feel loved
New Monogamy – a phrase coined by Tammy Nelson, “The New Monogamy: Redefining Your Relationships after Infidelity”,
some people use the phrase to describe a way of being primarily monogamous but with agreed upon exceptions
New Relationship Energy – describes the feelings, thoughts and sensations at the beginning of significant
romantic and/or sexual relationships. The excitement and intensity of these feelings is thought to fade over time.
Open Marriage – a romantic union that allows either person to have sex, relationships, and/or romance
outside of the marriage
Play Party – a social gathering where designated spaces allow for sexual activity to happen
Polyamory – the philosophy, practice, or state of having more than one sexual and/or loving relationship
at the same time, with the full knowledge and consent of all partners involved
Poly Relationship – a relationship that allows for polyamory
Relationship Artistry – an ongoing daily practice of connecting and nurturing attachment in a marriage
and/or relationship
Relationship Manna – the nourishing aspects of a relationship that can feel like miraculous happenings
but are actually fostered from long-term habits
Relationship Mission Statement – three or four sentences that describe the value system and/or vision of
a relationship(s)
Sex Positive – the belief and philosophy that sex, pleasure and eroticism is a healthy and natural part of life
Swinging – a lifestyle of non-monogamy whereby sexual relations occur outside the established couple;
swingers generally do not create long-term romantic attachments with their outside partners, thus
distinguishing themselves from polyamory, which allows for long term “in-love” relationships and
chosen family
Triad – three people engaged in a polyamorous relationship together
Vicarush – (noun) portmanteau of Vicarious Crush, happens when somebody else
develops an attraction on your partner which triggers memories and feelings of your initial
and ongoing attraction to your partner (another aspect of compersion)
Quad – four people engaged in a polyamorous relationship together
Queer – originally a pejorative term, it is now being reclaimed by many in the gay community,
an umbrella term for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered people
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