monogamy
C1Formal, Academic, Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The practice or state of being married to only one person at a time.
The practice of having a sexual or romantic relationship with only one partner at a time, either for a period of time or a lifetime; can be applied to animal mating systems in biology.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a sociological/biological/anthropological term. In everyday use, often contrasts with 'polygamy' or is used in discussions about relationship norms. Can imply a social institution or a personal choice.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or use. Spelling is identical.
Connotations
Neutral to slightly formal in both. The term is equally common in academic and general discourse in both regions.
Frequency
Comparable frequency; slightly higher in UK academic publications due to historical anthropological studies.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
N of N (monogamy of species)V N (practice monogamy)Adj N (strict monogamy)Prep N (in monogamy)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Tied to the concept of 'one and only', 'forsaking all others' (from marriage vows).”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in HR/ethics discussions about workplace relationships.
Academic
Common in sociology, anthropology, biology, psychology, and gender studies.
Everyday
Used in personal conversations about relationships, dating, and marriage norms.
Technical
In biology/zoology, describes mating systems where an individual has only one mate during a breeding season or life.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- They have decided to monogamise their relationship.
- (Note: 'monogamise' is rare/neologistic)
American English
- They chose to practice monogamy from the start.
adverb
British English
- They live monogamously.
- (Formal/Literary)
American English
- They agreed to date monogamously.
adjective
British English
- They have a monogamous arrangement.
- Monogamous pairings are common in that bird species.
American English
- She prefers a monogamous relationship.
- Their monogamous commitment is strong.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Monogamy means having only one husband or wife.
- In many countries, monogamy is the law.
- The study compared marriage rates in cultures that practice monogamy and polygamy.
- He questioned whether strict monogamy was natural for humans.
- Serial monogamy, involving a succession of exclusive partnerships, has become a prevalent relationship pattern in Western societies.
- The evolution of social monogamy in certain primates is linked to paternal care and infant survival rates.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MONO (one) + GAMY (marriage) = marriage to one.
Conceptual Metaphor
RELATIONSHIP IS A CONTRACT (implying exclusivity clauses); FIDELITY IS A BOND/TIE.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'моногамия' in overly casual contexts; the Russian term is a direct cognate but can sound excessively technical. In simple speech, 'отношения с одним партнёром' or 'верность одному человеку' might be more natural.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing 'monogamy' (one partner at a time) with 'monotony' (boredom/sameness). Misspelling as 'monogomy'. Using it as a verb ('to monogamy') instead of 'to be/practice monogamy'.
Practice
Quiz
In a biological context, 'monogamy' primarily refers to:
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Monogamy is the structure or practice of having one partner. Fidelity is the act of being faithful to that partner within that structure. You can be in a monogamous relationship but not faithful (i.e., cheat).
Yes, in biology, monogamy describes a mating system where an animal has only one mate during a breeding season or life. It's called 'pair-bonding' in many species, like some birds and primates.
Monogamy involves one spouse/partner. Polygamy is an umbrella term for having multiple spouses/partners, which includes polygyny (one man, multiple women) and polyandry (one woman, multiple men).
In many jurisdictions, laws defining marriage are de facto monogamous, meaning they permit marriage to only one person at a time. Bigamy (marrying someone while already married) is illegal in these countries.
Explore