open relationship
Permitted outside partners
An open relationship is a romantic partnership where both parties agree that sexual or romantic involvement with others is permitted.
The arrangement varies—some couples allow only casual encounters, others permit deeper connections.
The term distinguishes from monogamy while implying mutual consent: They've been in an open relationship for years.
Compare polyamory, which emphasizes multiple loving relationships rather than just sexual openness.
Consensual multiple romantic relationships
- non-monogamyHaving multiple romantic partners
- partnersJoint venture participants
- datingPursuing romantic connections
- multipleConsisting of many parts
triad · quad · swinging · ethical · consensual · network · primary · secondary
Truthfulness, sincerity
- transparencyState of being see-through
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- boundariesLines marking separation
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
consent · disclosure · check-in · conversation · articulate · clarity · feedback · understanding
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- envyResentful longing for another's
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
fear · attachment · inadequacy · possessiveness · resentment · uncertainty · heartache · excitement
Truthfulness, sincerity
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
- reliabilityConsistent, predictable performance
integrity · respect · security · transparency · consistency · dependability · support · devotion
Absence of constraint
- independenceFreedom from external control
- individualityUnique personal character
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
- choiceAct of selecting
exploration · flexibility · empowerment · privacy · experimentation · agency · self-discovery · variety
polyamory
Consensual multiple romantic relationships
- non-monogamyHaving multiple romantic partners
- partnersJoint venture participants
- datingPursuing romantic connections
multiple · triad · quad · swinging · ethical · consensual · network · primary · secondary · hierarchy
honesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
- transparencyState of being see-through
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- boundariesLines marking separation
negotiation · consent · disclosure · check-in · conversation · articulate · clarity · feedback · understanding · mediation
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- envyResentful longing for another's
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
vulnerability · fear · attachment · inadequacy · possessiveness · resentment · uncertainty · heartache · excitement · fulfillment
honesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
- loyaltyFaithful commitment to another
- faithfulnessDevoted loyalty maintained
- commitmentFirm pledge to act
reliability · integrity · respect · security · transparency · consistency · dependability · support · devotion · sincerity
freedom
Absence of constraint
- independenceFreedom from external control
- individualityUnique personal character
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
choice · exploration · flexibility · empowerment · privacy · experimentation · agency · self-discovery · variety · personal growth
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- casual datingfling, hookup, friends with benefits, FWB, one-night stand
- promiscuitypromiscuity, sleeping around, casual sex, hookups, one-night stands
- romancelove story, amor, love, boyfriend, courting
- courtshipcourting, courtship, suitor, betrothal, wooing
- relationship statussingle, married, divorced, engaged, separated
open relationshipcheating
Deceptive rule-breaking
infidelity · affair · adultery · unfaithfulness · betrayal
open, opening, related, relate, relationship, opened, opens, openness, opener