open relationships
Partners seeing others
Open relationships are romantic partnerships where both parties agree that sexual or romantic involvement with others is permitted.
The arrangement contrasts with monogamy and requires explicit negotiation of boundaries: They've been in an open relationship for three years.
The term often distinguishes from polyamory, which emphasizes multiple loving relationships rather than primarily sexual freedom.
Multiple concurrent romantic partners
- triadGroup of three
- quadEnclosed campus lawn
- polyculeConnected polyamorous partners
- primary partnerForemost romantic relationship
hierarchical · non-hierarchical · kitchen table · throuple · constellation · scheduling · dating · swinging
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
- envyResentful longing for another's
trust · intimacy · connection · bonding · affection · vulnerability · security · fear
Truthfulness, sincerity
- transparencyState of being see-through
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- disclosureAct of revealing information
- boundariesLines marking separation
negotiation · check-ins · discussion · expectations · conversation · listening · feedback · articulation
Shared position between parties
- boundariesLines marking separation
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- respectRegard with honor
- permissionGranted right to act
choice · veto · willingness · renegotiation · enthusiastic consent · informed consent · limits · approval
Freedom from external control
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
- self-expressionConveying one's inner world
nonconformity · experimentation · individuality · variety · liberation · personal growth · diversity · unconventional
nonmonogamy
Multiple concurrent romantic partners
primary partner · hierarchical · non-hierarchical · kitchen table · throuple · constellation · scheduling · dating · swinging
jealousy
Resentful desire for another's advantages
- insecurityUncertainty about oneself
- attachmentConnection or fondness
- reassuranceWords meant to calm
envy · trust · intimacy · connection · bonding · affection · vulnerability · security · fear · excitement
honesty
Truthfulness, sincerity
- transparencyState of being see-through
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- disclosureAct of revealing information
boundaries · negotiation · check-ins · discussion · expectations · conversation · listening · feedback · articulation · clarification
agreement
Shared position between parties
- boundariesLines marking separation
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- respectRegard with honor
permission · choice · veto · willingness · renegotiation · enthusiastic consent · informed consent · limits · approval · agency
independence
Freedom from external control
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- explorationTraveling through unknown regions
- flexibilityAbility to adapt easily
self-expression · nonconformity · experimentation · individuality · variety · liberation · personal growth · diversity · unconventional · alternative lifestyle
- relationship beliefsmonogamy, polyamory, soulmate, true love, fidelity
- sexual freedomsexual liberation, sexual revolution, sexual freedom, free love, consent
- loveadoration, affection, amour, attraction, beloved
- relationshipsfriends, romantic, family, friend, flirting
- datingmatch, profile, swipe left, hookup, breakup
- sexualitysexual orientation, sexual behavior, erotica, sexual identity, bisexual
open relationshipsmonogamy
One partner at a time
traditional marriage · fidelity · exclusivity · forsaking all others · serial monogamy
open relationshipsinfidelity
Disloyalty to a partner
cheating · affairs · adultery · sneaking around · betrayal
opening, relate, relationship, openly, opened, opens, openness, reopen, reopening