Just what is polyamory anyway? The term poly is defined as many and amory means love, so the quick answer is that polyamory literally means many loves. More precisely, polyamory is the nonpossessive, honest, responsible and ethical philosophy and practice of loving more than one person simultaneously. Polyamory emphasizes consciously choosing how many partners one wishes to be involved with rather than accepting social norms which dictate loving only one person at a time.

Polyamory embraces sexual equality and all sexual orientations towards an expanded circle of spousal intimacy and love. An intimate relationship may or may not include sexuality.

Polyamorists vary a great deal in their attitudes toward casual or recreational sex. Some approve; some (particularly those in polyfidelitous relationships) do not. In any case, polyamory is more about stable, intimate, emotionally committed relationships rather than casual sex.

Swinging is defined as recreational sexual activity, also called "sport sex" where partner(s) or participant(s) agree to have casual sex with each other(s). There is usually no emotional involvement as in polyamory. Swinging is a form of monogamy in which usually two primary partners agree to have casual sex with other couples or singles. Swingers have their own organizations, newsletters, and contact networks. They are not likely to find much of an interest in polyamory except by coincidence. The polyamory and swing communities are allies under the alternative lifestyles banner. Many swingers have transitioned to the polyamory lifestyle through their desire to be emotionally committed in a multipartnered relationship.

Here are some other terms you might have heard and wondered about:

Compersion: The feeling of happiness in knowing that others you love share joy with each other, especially taking joy in the knowledge that your beloveds are expressing their love for one another. The opposite of jealousy.

Expanded Family: Where three or more people choose to live as a family unit. This usually involves a commitment between each of the partners and decisions are usually made by mutual consent. The term expanded family is also used to describe the core family and their closest supporting friends/ families/lovers.

Group Marriage: A marriage involving more than two people. Not recognized by the U.S. government or most major religions in western society. Many people do it anyway, often making legal agreements that function similarly to the legalities involved in a usual marriage. Group marriages, just like couple marriages, may or may not be open to other partners.

Intentional Family: Unrelated individuals who have joined together to establish a loving, caring family.

Intimate Network: individuals who desire friendship and perhaps sex with their lovers and other friends, forming a web of varying connections within a social circle.

Non-monogamy: The practice of creating intimate relationships that may include sexuality which do not require sexual exclusivity. As a result, there may or may not be more than one such relationship occurring at a time.

Open Relationship or Open Marriage: A non-monogamous relationship or marriage. A relationship is open if there is an agreement among the members that it is acceptable to get sexually and/or romantically involved outside of the relationship. Specific rules within a relationship about such involvement are usually negotiated to best fit the people in the relationship. For instance, one or more members may want prior notification of any outside involvement by another member.

Polyandry: the state or practice of having two or more husbands at the same time.

Polyfidelity: a group in which all partners are primary to all other partners and sexual fidelity is to the group; shared intent of a lifelong run together. More primary partners can be added with everyone’s consent.

Polygamy: the practice of having more than one wife or husband at a time.

Polygyny: the state or practice of having two or more wives at the same time.

PolyMarriage: 1: the state of being committed in multiple partnered relationship 2: a multiple partnered relationship where a commitment ritual was performed 3: any close or intimate multi partnered union of duration

Primary Relationship(s) - The relationship(s) which is (are) the most important and typically involve a high degree of commitment, such as the relationship with a marriage partner.

Quad: a multiple partnered relationship with four members.

Secondary Relationship(s) - Close, ongoing emotional and/or sexual relationship(s), but with a lesser degree of commitment than a primary relationship.

Tertiary Relationship: a relationship which may include emotional support or sexuality on a one-time or highly erratic schedule, attention or energy is given in bursts but the relationship is not a consistent part of a persons life.

Triad: 1-any three person lovestyle. 2-three people involved in some way; most often used in a committed sense; in some cases involving ceremonies of commitment.

Tribe: A social group that has a strong sense of identity and may have a family arrangement as its core.