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Definition of polygamous

polygamous

/pəˈlɪɡ.ə.məs/
po · lyg · a · mous
Adverb:polygamously
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polygamous Lexical Profile

polygamous Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Relating to or practicing marriage in which a person has more than one spouse at the same time.

Example

"Anthropologists studied the kinship structures and inheritance laws of traditional polygamous societies."

2

Having more than one mate during a single breeding season (of an animal).

Example

"Unlike swans, which often pair for life, many species of deer are polygamous during the autumn rut."

3

Bearing both unisexual (male or female) and hermaphrodite flowers on the same plant or on different plants of the same species.

Example

"Several species of maple trees are botanically classified as polygamous because they produce both bisexual and unisexual blossoms."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for polygamous
Antonyms
View all antonyms for polygamous

• Rhymes for polygamous

• Nearby Words

polyester
polygala
polygamist
polygamous
polygamously
polygamy
polyglot

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in the late 16th century from Ancient Greek 'polygamos' (often married), formed from 'polys' (many) and 'gamos' (marriage).

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Polygamous. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/polygamous
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