Monogamous means having only one partner at a time in a relationship. It refers to a relationship where two individuals form a mutual and exclusive intimate partnership, whether sexual, emotional, or both. Monogamy typically involves exclusivity in marriage or partnership, with no other romantic or sexual partners involved during that time.

Meaning Details

• Monogamy is derived from Greek words meaning "one marriage".
• It can be social, sexual, genetic, or marital monogamy, relating respectively to cohabitation, sexual exclusivity, reproductive fidelity, or marriage between two people.
• Types include classical monogamy (lifelong sexual exclusivity with one partner) and serial monogamy (having one partner at a time, but multiple sequential partners over a lifetime).

Usage

• It is often contrasted with non-monogamous relationships like polyamory or polygamy.
• The term describes both human relationships and animal mating systems.

In summary, being monogamous means committing to and having a relationship or marriage with only one partner at a time.