Guide
Polyamory vs Polygamy: What's the Difference?
Polygamy is marriage to more than one person. Polyamory is several consensual romantic relationships, with no marriage required.
The short answer
Polygamy is being married to more than one person at the same time, while polyamory is having more than one romantic relationship with everyone's knowledge and consent. Polyamory does not require marriage at all.
Side by side
| Polyamory | Polygamy | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | More than one romantic relationship, with everyone's knowledge and consent | Marriage to more than one person |
| Marriage | Not required | The defining feature |
| Who it includes | People of any gender and orientation | Usually describes one person with several spouses |
| How roles are set | Agreed by the people involved | Often set by custom or religion |
| Legal status in the US | Dating several people is not against the law | Being legally married to more than one person is not allowed |
What polygamy usually means
Polygamy refers to a marriage that includes more than two spouses. The most common form is polygyny, one husband with several wives. The reverse, one wife with several husbands, is called polyandry. These are often tied to particular religious or cultural traditions.
What polyamory usually means
Polyamory describes a way of relating, not a type of marriage. People in polyamorous relationships may or may not be married, and may be partnered, solo, or part of a larger network. Their roles are not fixed in advance by gender. See What Is Polyamory? for the common forms.
What US law says
In the United States, a person can be legally married to only one person at a time, so marrying a second person while still legally married is not permitted. Dating or being in relationships with several people, with everyone's agreement, is a different matter. This is general information, not legal advice, and laws and local rules can differ, so ask a qualified lawyer about your own situation.
Why people mix them up
Both words involve more than one partner, and "poly" appears in both. The difference is in what each describes: polygamy describes marriage, and polyamory describes consensual romantic relationships.
If you would like to meet people who practice polyamory, you can browse profiles on Polyamory Meet.
Keep reading
More plain guides from Polyamory Meet.