Polyamory is a term under the ENM umbrella to describe the capability or desire to be in a relationship with more than one individual at once. Polyamorous can be used both as a description of a relationship with more than two individuals and as description of individuals who desire such relationships. Polyamorous relationships can be romantic, sexual, or both; they may also be based on tertiary attraction such as queerplatonic relationships. Polyamory is not considered cheating, because all parties are aware of all other parties involved and consent to their involvement. Polyamory can be as simple as an open relationship or it can be three or more individuals who are all in a relationship with each other. Polyamorous is not a sexual/romantic orientation on its own, but more of a description of how one can experience attraction. As it is a microlabel and not an orientation on its own polyamorous individuals can have any sexual/romantic orientation.

Polyamory can involve marriage but should not be confused with polygamy, the act of marrying multiple individuals, which is illegal in the U.S. and many other western countries.

Ideally, polyamory/polyamorous is shortened to polyam, not poly (to avoid confusion with a shortening for Polynesian or polysexual). Polyamory should also not be confused with polysexuality.

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