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View synonyms for

monogamy

[ muh-nog-uh-mee ]

noun

  1. marriage with only one person at a time.
  2. Zoology. the practice of having only one mate.
  3. the practice of marrying only once during life.


monogamy

/ ³¾É’ˈ²ÔÉ’É¡É™³¾Éª /

noun

  1. the state or practice of having only one husband or wife over a period of time Compare bigamy polygamy digamy
  2. zoology the practice of having only one mate
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged†2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

monogamy

  1. A form of marriage in which one man is united with one woman. ( Compare polyandry and polygamy .)
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Derived Forms

  • ³¾´Çˈ²Ô´Ç²µ²¹³¾´Ç³Ü²õ±ô²â, adverb
  • ³¾´Çˈ²Ô´Ç²µ²¹³¾´Ç³Ü²õ, adjective
  • ³¾´Çˈ²Ô´Ç²µ²¹³¾´Ç³Ü²õness, noun
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of monogamy1

First recorded in 1605–15; from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek ³¾´Ç²Ô´Ç²µ²¹³¾Ã­²¹, equivalent to mono- + -gamy
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˜yÐÄvlog History and Origins

Origin of monogamy1

C17: via French from Late Latin monogamia, from Greek; see mono- + -gamy
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Compare Meanings

How does monogamy compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

“Not every spy is to your flavor of monogamy,†Kathryn tells George when he organizes a dinner party to begin sniffing out the mole under false pretenses.

From

Their monogamy has also attracted the unwelcome attention of local traditional healers, who claim that the parts of crested crane may bring faithfulness from a partner - or good luck.

From

I have an aversion to relationships and monogamy because I don’t believe you can truly depend on anyone.

From

One argument suggests that monogamy can increase the chances that parents will cooperate to care for their offspring, since fathers are more confident the young are theirs.

From

Clark, who met Haddish when they were bused to El Camino Real Charter High School in Woodland Hills, isn’t buying this supposed stance on monogamy.

From

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About This ˜yÐÄvlog

What doesÌýmonogamy mean?

Monogamy most technically refers to the state or practice of being married to only one person at a time.

The word monogamy is also commonly used in a more general way to refer to the state of being in a romantic or sexual relationship with only one person at a time. Less commonly, monogamy can mean the practice of being married only once throughout one’s life.

In the study of animals, monogamy refers to the practice of having only one mate.

A person or animal that engages in monogamy can be described as monogamous. A person who practices or advocates for monogamy can be called a monogamist.

Example: Monogamy may be traditional in our modern society, but this hasn’t always been the case in cultures around the world.

Where doesÌýmonogamy come from?

The first records of the word monogamy come from the early 1600s. It comes from the Greek ³¾´Ç²Ô´Ç²µ²¹³¾Ã­²¹, from mono-, meaning “single†or “one,†and -gamy, meaning “marriage.†The same root is used in the words bigamy (referring to the practice of being married to two people) and polygamy (referring to the practice of being married to more than one person at a time).

Though it has traditionally been associated with marriage, the term monogamy today commonly refers to the state of only dating or being in a sexual relationship with one person at a time. While monogamy is often seen as a traditional norm of human relationships, especially in Western cultures, not everyone shares this view. The phrase serial monogamy refers to the practice of being married several times in succession, or, more popularly, going from one monogamous, long-term relationship to another. A person who does this is sometimes called a serial monogamist. Such terms are often used in a critical way that’s perhaps intended to suggest that monogamy is unnatural or unlikely to lead to fulfillment.

Did you know ... ?

What are some other forms related to monogamy?

What are some words that share a root or word element with monogamy?Ìý

What are some words that often get used in discussing monogamy?

How isÌýmonogamy used in real life?

Monogamy is perhaps most popularly used to refer to the practice of having a sexual relationship with only one person at a time.

Ìý

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