Bisexual:

A type of sexual orientation in which a person is attracted to both the male and female sexes.

 

Community:

One of the important "C words" in the polyamorous community, the other being communication. For those who practice polyamory, a strong sense of community is important in order for all relationships between partners to maintain respect, understanding, and balance.

 

Kinky:

A term used to describe when a person has unconventional or non-mainstream sexual practice preferances. Some kinks include participating in BDSM, erotic asphyxiation, and role playing.

 

The Lifestyle: 

"The lifestyle" is another term for the practice known also as "swinging." The lifestyle consists of couples who are in committed relationships partaking in sexual activities with other people who may either also be in another relationship or single.

 

Metamour: 

A metamour is a partner's other partner with whom you may or may not have a relationship with. This term is generally used in the polyamorous community.

 

Pansexual:

A person who is pansexual can be attracted to any person regardless of sex, gender, or sexual orientation. 

 

Polyamory: 

Polyamory is the practice where a person is involved in a sexual and romantic relationship with multiple people who are aware of the other relationships.

 

Queer: 

"Queer" is an umbrella term used by the LBGTQA community to refer to anyone who does not identify as heteronormative. 

 

Tantrika: 

The term "tantrika" refers to the practice of tantric sex. Tantric sex is a sexual practice in which partners are more focused on creating an intimate connection through absorbing one another's energies rather than focusing solely on the physical aspect of sex.

 

Vanilla:

The term "vanilla" describes any conventional sexual behavior. Considered a baseline by which kink is measured against.

 

Compersion: 

An alternative to jealousy, usually used within the context of non-monogamous relationships. The immense pleasure or joy felt by someone seeing their partner have other, successful relationships. 

 

Jealousy

Composite mental unease (fear, anxiety, loss) derived from a perceived rival. Usually, this feeling involves imagined loss of someone to said rival. One of the most uniquitous issues faced in polyamorous relationships, jealousy is usually perceived as a chance to expand communication and dig deep within oneself to discover the root of the emotion.

 

Monogamish

A term coined by sex and relationship guru Dan Savage that expresses the grayness of some relationships that appear mostly monogamous, but allow some consensual wiggle room.