Word for Marrying More Than One Person: Polygamy Terms

When you are looking for the word for marrying more than one person, the term you are most likely after is polygamy. This guide explains the precise vocabulary, how each term is used in everyday language, and the legal and cultural context you need to use them correctly.

What You’ll Need

• No special tools are required. This is a language and usage guide.
• A basic understanding of how marriage laws differ around the world helps, but is not essential.

Step-by-Step

1. Start with the umbrella term: polygamy. This is the broad word for any marriage system where a person has more than one spouse at the same time. It covers both a man with multiple wives and a woman with multiple husbands.
2. Distinguish the two main types of polygamy. The most common form is polygyny, where one man is married to several women. The rarer form is polyandry, where one woman is married to several men. Use these precise terms when you need to be specific about which spouse has multiple partners.
3. Know the related term: bigamy. Bigamy is the act of marrying someone while already legally married to another person. In most countries, bigamy is a crime, even if the first marriage is not a happy one or the couple is separated. The key difference is that bigamy is usually illegal, while polygamy is a broader social or cultural practice.
4. Understand the word ‘polyamory’ and do not confuse it with polygamy. Polyamory is the practice of having multiple romantic or sexual relationships with the knowledge and consent of everyone involved. It is not necessarily about marriage, and it is not the same as polygamy. Polygamy is specifically about marriage; polyamory is about relationships in general.
5. Use the correct adjective forms. ‘Polygamous’ describes a person, a marriage, or a society that practices polygamy. ‘Bigamous’ describes the act of entering a second marriage while the first is still valid. For example, you might say, “He was in a polygamous relationship,” or “The bigamous ceremony was declared void.”
6. Check the legal context. In many countries, including the United States, Canada, and most of Europe, polygamy is illegal. In some regions of the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, it is legal under certain conditions, often with restrictions such as requiring the first wife’s consent. Always clarify whether you are speaking about the cultural practice or the legal status.
7. Consider the historical or religious usage. Some religious traditions have permitted polygamy historically. For example, early Mormonism allowed the practice, though the mainstream church now prohibits it. When discussing such topics, use the term ‘plural marriage’ or ‘polygyny’ to be precise and respectful.
8. Use the word in a sentence correctly. Here are examples:
   • “Polygamy is practiced in a few dozen countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East.”
   • “The anthropologist studied polyandry in a remote Himalayan community.”
   • “He was charged with bigamy after his second wedding was discovered.”
9. Know the difference between ‘polygamy’ and ‘group marriage’. Group marriage, also called ‘multi-partner marriage’, is a situation where several people are all married to each other as a single family unit. This is distinct from polygyny or polyandry, where one person is the hub of the arrangement. Group marriage is extremely rare and not legally recognized anywhere.
10. Finish by checking your audience. If you are writing for a general audience, ‘polygamy’ is the safest and most understood term. If you are writing for a legal or academic audience, use the more precise ‘polygyny’ and ‘polyandry’ and be careful with the legal distinction from bigamy.

Common Mistakes

• Using ‘polygamy’ and ‘bigamy’ interchangeably. Bigamy is a specific crime of marrying while already married. Polygamy is the broader practice of having multiple spouses. Not all polygamous marriages are bigamous if they are legal in that jurisdiction, and bigamy can occur even if the person does not intend to maintain multiple spouses long-term.
• Confusing ‘polygamy’ with ‘polyamory’. Polyamory is about consensual non-monogamy in relationships, not specifically about marriage. A polyamorous person might never marry, and a polygamous marriage might not involve romantic love for all parties.
• Assuming polygamy always means one man with many wives. While that is the most common form (polygyny), polyandry (one woman with multiple husbands) exists, though it is rare. Using ‘polygamy’ when you specifically mean ‘polygyny’ can be imprecise.
• Forgetting that polygamy is illegal in most Western countries. Even if a person has multiple partners, they cannot legally marry more than one in places like the UK, the US, or Australia. A second marriage would be bigamous and invalid.

Tips

• When in doubt, use ‘polygamy’ as the general term. It is the word most people search for and understand. Save ‘polygyny’ and ‘polyandry’ for when you need to be specific.
• If you are writing about a specific culture, research how that culture describes the practice. For example, some communities use the term ‘plural marriage’ to avoid the negative connotations of ‘polygamy’.
• Remember that language evolves. Some people now use ‘polyamory’ in a broad sense that includes multiple spouses, but that is still not the standard dictionary definition. Stick to the traditional meanings for clarity.
• If you are discussing legality, always specify the jurisdiction. What is legal in one country is a crime in another. Saying “polygamy is illegal” without noting the location is misleading.

Troubleshooting

• If you cannot remember the difference between polygyny and polyandry: Think of the suffix ‘-gyny’ which relates to women (as in gynecology), and ‘-andry’ which relates to men (as in androgynous). So polygyny = many women, polyandry = many men.
• If someone corrects you for using ‘polygamy’ when you meant ‘polygyny’: Simply acknowledge the precision. Say, “Yes, I meant polygyny specifically, which is the most common form of polygamy.” That shows you understand the nuance.
• If you are writing about a historical figure who had multiple wives: Use ‘plural marriage’ if you want to be neutral, or ‘polygamy’ if you want to be direct. Avoid ‘bigamy’ unless they were legally married to more than one at the same time in a place where that was illegal.
• If you are unsure whether a practice is legal: Do not guess. Say “The legal status varies by country” and point the reader to consult a legal professional or official government sources for specific cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is the difference between polygamy and bigamy? Polygamy is the general practice of having multiple spouses. Bigamy is the specific crime of marrying someone while already legally married to someone else. Bigamy is almost always illegal, while polygamy may be legal in some countries.
• Is polygamy legal anywhere? Yes, polygamy is legal in a handful of countries, mostly in Africa and the Middle East, though often with restrictions like requiring the first spouse’s consent. It is illegal in most Western nations.
• What is polyandry? Polyandry is the form of polygamy where one woman has multiple husbands. It is much rarer than polygyny and is practiced in a few isolated communities, such as parts of the Himalayas.
• Can a person be in a polyamorous relationship and also be married to more than one person? Legally, in most places, no. A person can have multiple romantic partners (polyamory), but they can only be legally married to one at a time. Polyamory is about relationships, not legal marriage.
• What is the term for a man with multiple wives? The precise term is ‘polygyny’. It is a subset of polygamy. If you just say ‘polygamy’, most people will assume you mean polygyny, but for accuracy, use the specific term.
• Is ‘plural marriage’ the same as polygamy? ‘Plural marriage’ is a term often used by religious groups, particularly some Mormon fundamentalist sects, to describe their practice of polygyny. It is essentially the same thing, but the wording is preferred by those who practice it because it sounds less clinical.