monogyny: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very Low (Specialist)Formal, Academic, Technical (Anthropology, Sociology, Biology)
Quick answer
What does “monogyny” mean?
The practice or condition of having only one wife at a time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The practice or condition of having only one wife at a time.
The state of being married to one woman at a time; sometimes used in anthropological contexts to describe marriage systems or social structures where a man is restricted to one wife, as opposed to polygyny. In some biological contexts, it refers to a male having a single female mate.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. The term is equally rare and technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, descriptive, clinical. No particular cultural connotation in either region.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, confined to specialist academic texts.
Grammar
How to Use “monogyny” in a Sentence
[Noun] is a form of monogyny.The society practices [Adjective] monogyny.Monogyny contrasts with [polygyny].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “monogyny” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The law no longer *monogynises* marriage in that culture.
- They sought to *monogynise* their tribal customs.
American English
- The legislation effectively *monogynized* the institution.
- Anthropologists debate whether early societies were *monogynizing*.
adverb
British English
- The tribe lived *monogynously*, unlike their neighbours.
- He argued they should marry *monogynously*.
American English
- They organized their society *monogynously*.
- The species mates *monogynously* for life.
adjective
British English
- A *monogynous* marriage structure was imposed.
- The study focused on *monogynous* bird species.
American English
- The *monogynous* system was the cultural norm.
- He lived in a strictly *monogynous* union.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Primary context. Used in anthropology, sociology, and evolutionary biology texts to describe mating or marriage systems.
Everyday
Virtually never used. The common term is 'monogamy'.
Technical
Used precisely in the fields mentioned above.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “monogyny”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “monogyny”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “monogyny”
- Using 'monogamy' when 'monogyny' is the precise term (e.g., in a discussion specifically about wives, not spouses).
- Misspelling as 'monogamy' or 'monogeny'.
- Pronouncing the 'g' as in 'gin' instead of as in 'gene'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Monogamy means having one spouse (of either gender). Monogyny is more specific: it means having one *wife*. Monogamy is the broader, much more common term.
Yes, in biological contexts, it can describe a mating system where a male animal has only one female mate during a breeding season or lifetime.
The closest equivalent is 'monandry', which means having one husband. However, 'monogamy' is often used for both genders in general discourse.
Because 'monogamy' suffices for most general and legal purposes. 'Monogyny' is a precise technical term needed only in academic discussions where the gender-specific nature of the union (one wife vs. one husband) is critical to the argument.
The practice or condition of having only one wife at a time.
Monogyny is usually formal, academic, technical (anthropology, sociology, biology) in register.
Monogyny: in British English it is pronounced /mɒˈnɒdʒɪni/, and in American English it is pronounced /məˈnɑːdʒəni/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'MONO' (one) + 'GYNY' (from Greek 'gynē', meaning woman/wife) = one wife.
Conceptual Metaphor
CONTAINMENT / RESTRICTION (being limited to one female partner).
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary field where the term 'monogyny' is used?