If you've ever fantasized about adding a third partner to your relationship, you might be polyamorous. Here's how the Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines the term:
Polyamorous (adj): involving, having, or characterized by more than one open romantic relationship at a time.
In the dating context, polyamory involves having multiple consensual and openly communicated romantic relationships at once. Everyone involved is aware of and agrees with this dynamic. This is the key difference between polyamory and cheating.
Polyamorous relationships can involve three-way couples. These relationships can be three partners but can include many more partners, too. The structure and dynamics vary depending on the individuals involved.
In 2024, poly dating is actually more common than ever. According to sex researcher and professor Dr. Amy Moors, 1 in 9 Americans has participated in a polyamorous relationship, and 1 in 6 are interested in exploring one.
Her research shows growing acceptance and interest in polyamory and threesome dating. More people are open to exploring, which makes it easier to find your third partner!
Not sure if poly dating is what you're looking for? Take a look at our what does a monogamous relationship mean guide to get a better sense of both relationship types.
Finding a third partner can be new to many people. These terms help you identify both couples looking for a third and third partners:
Unicorn: A term for a single person who is willing to join an existing couple.
Metamour: This is the partner of your partner and is often used to introduce a third into an established relationship.
Hinge: The shared partner between two people who are otherwise not connected.
Triads or Throuples: A relationship involving three people who are aware and consent to the dynamic.
Polycule: A network of relationships within a polyamorous setup.
Open Polycule: A network where new partners are welcome, and the network is encouraged to bring in more people.
Polyfidelity: A network of relationships where the partners involved have agreed not to add any new members to the polycule. In other words, the polycule is now "closed."
Non-Hierarchical Relationships: A relationship structure where all partners are considered equal, regardless of previous partnerships and shared experiences.
Primary Partners: The individuals who hold the most significant or prioritized role in a person's life
Secondary Partners: The individuals that are a part of the relationship but are often less significant or prioritized compared to the primary partner.
Now that you're a pro at these terms, here's another resource that might help. Dating an unicorn is your first step to threesome dating and finding a third partner.
More fun, more love–what's not to like? Poly dating and three-way couples, when done responsibly, can add a lot of value to your life.
According to researchers from the University of Michigan, polyamorous relationships report high levels of satisfaction and trust. Even more, they reported lower levels of jealousy compared to a closed relationship.
Talk about counterintuitive. But, it makes sense if you think about it. Poly dating means partners are open to exploring. They get to explore without stigma in an open and honest context, which reduces jealousy and discontent.
Here are other benefits of poly and threesome dating:
Interested in adding more fun to your life? Meet single women and find your third partner today!
Building a strong foundation in a polyamorous relationship requires trust and open communication. Honest and thoughtful conversations from the start set the tone for a successful threesome dating dynamic.
Here are questions to ask to see if poly dating is really for you:
How will I manage my time and energy between relationships?
Am I ready to devote more time and energy to multiple relationships?
What do I want to gain or learn from exploring poly dating?
Am I open to learning and adapting as I navigate multiple relationships?
What personal boundaries do I need to reinforce to protect my well-being in a dynamic relationship?
Are we both open to exploring non-monogamy?
How many partners do we want to add to our relationship?
What are our reasons for wanting to try polyamory as a couple?
How will we address feelings like jealousy or insecurity when they arise?
How will we manage potential conflicts or misunderstandings between us?
Will we share a new partner?
How much do we want to share with each other about new partners?
What ideal characteristics do we seek in our new partners?
Will our new partners be primary or secondary?
How will we ensure everyone's sexual health and safety?
Now that you've asked those questions and are open to exploring–it's time to find the right third partner.
Here's our 5-step process that simplifies the poly dating experience.
Choose an open-minded dating platform like Nu Dating that caters to your poly dating needs. Some sites focus on casual threesome dating, while others are geared toward long-term relationships.
Our tip is to select a dating app with non-monogamy filters and poly tags. These features make it much easier for you to find others, and for others to find you.
A joint dating account is one where you use photos of both you and your partner. It's the most simple way to be transparent with others on poly dating apps while taking a unified approach with your current partner.
It's important to label your bio appropriately to make matching a more simple process. Depending on your needs, you can use terms like "poly couple", "threesome dating", "secondary partner", and "unicorn" so the right people match with you.
Once you match, you should discuss your criteria and expectations with your potential third partner. Again, this is because we want to set a strong foundation built on transparency and honesty. Take time to discuss important information like sexual health, other partners, boundaries, and so on.
If things are going well, it's time to meet your third partner! Meet in a public space and get to know each other. If things feel off, don't force the connection. There are plenty of third partners out there who are open to exploring. Your ideal third partner is out there, so don't settle for anything less.
It's not enough to just find your threesome or third partner, it's more important to ensure everyone's happy and comfortable in the poly dating dynamic.
Here are our best practices to ensure happy, healthy, and fun poly relationships:
Maria Biz is an expert in the field of dating and relationships with 7 years of experience. Her mission is to help you build successful relationships and find true love.
