Some words you may have seen but don't yet recognise.
A relationship style where members of a group of any size agree to be sexually exclusive to one another. Usually new members to the group are admitted only by mutual consent of the existing members.
Where person A is in relationship with both persons B and C, but B and C are not in an intimate relationship with each other. Person A would be described as the 'hinge' of that V. It's possible to get long strings of Vs connecting into what are jokingly referred to as 'W's.
A relationship between three people, each of whom is intimately connected to the others.
A relationship between four people, each of whom is intimately connected to all the others.
An ambiguous term used in differing contexts with various meanings, primarily to indicate consensual non-monogamy. It's worth checking what an individual means by their own personal use of the term.
One partner of one gender with multiple spouses or partners of the opposite gender.
One woman with multiple husbands.
One man with multiple wives.
Significant Other. Otherwise undefined important relationship.
Significant Other's Significant Other, or partner's partner.
A relationship which other relationships are not allowed to threaten. Primary relationships may involve cohabitation, financial commitment, co-parenting, life commitment (c.f. marriage). and involvement in and negotiation around significant decisions.
A significant relationship usually with lower priority and time involvement than a primary relationship. Secondaries are less likely to have financial involvement or coparenting commitments than primary relationships.
Where the emphasis is on the friendship, with sporadic sexual contact, and usually without partner-level commitment.
As the name suggests, a relationship focused primarily on the sexual connection.
New Relationship Energy: the huge buzz and energy-boost experienced when you fall in love.
The delicious joy of experiencing a beloved
being loved by another. "When she told me about her date I went squishy
with compersion."
Similar to 'compersion'. "I felt all frubbly watching him being snogged by her."
