Meaning & use
monogamy
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Meanings
noununcountable
The practice or state of having only one spouse or romantic partner at a time.
Grammar: Uncountable; used without 'a' or a plural: 'Monogamy is common in many cultures.'
Patterns
- practice monogamy
- believe in monogamy
- monogamy in marriage
Many religions encourage monogamy as the ideal form of marriage.
After years of dating around, he decided he was ready for monogamy.
The study compared rates of monogamy across different societies.
noununcountablebiology
The state of having only one mate at a time, used of animals.
Grammar: Uncountable; common in biology texts about mating systems.
Patterns
- monogamy in birds
- social monogamy
- genetic monogamy
Some bird species practice lifelong monogamy.
Researchers studied monogamy in prairie voles to understand pair bonding.
Genetic monogamy is rare in mammals.
Common combinations
- serial monogamy
- He practices serial monogamy, having one serious relationship after another.
- lifelong monogamy
- They promised lifelong monogamy in their wedding vows.
- a monogamy agreement
- The couple discussed a monogamy agreement before moving in together.
- monogamy is not for everyone
- She believes monogamy is not for everyone and prefers open relationships.
Synonyms and how they differ
- marriage
- Focuses on the legal or social union, not the number of partners; monogamy specifically means one partner at a time.
- pair-bonding
- A scientific term for forming a strong pair relationship, often used of animals; monogamy is broader and can refer to humans or animals.
Opposites
Word family
- monogamous adjective
- Describing a person or species that has only one partner at a time.
- monogamist noun
- A person who practices monogamy.
Commonly confused: monogamy or polygamy? monogamy or monotony?
monogamy vs polygamy
Polygamy means having more than one spouse at the same time; monogamy means having only one.
monogamy vs monotony
Monotony means boring sameness; monogamy means having one partner.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'monogamy' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Monogamy is an uncountable noun meaning having one partner; option 1 uses it correctly as a noun. Option 2 confuses it with 'monotony' (boring sameness). Option 3 uses it as a verb, which is wrong. Option 4 also misuses it as a verb.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “monogamy”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.