Polyromantic: Meaning, Multiple-Gender Romance, and Identity

For example, someone may want romantic relationships with women, men, and some nonbinary people, while not experiencing romantic attraction toward every gender.

The word does not describe sexual desire. Someone may want affection, dating, commitment, or emotional closeness with several genders while experiencing sexual attraction toward a different range of genders—or little or no sexual attraction at all.

• a polyromantic person;
• a polyromantic identity;
• polyromantic attraction;
• a polyromantic orientation;
• polyromantic representation.

It may also appear after a linking verb:

• She is polyromantic.
• They identify as polyromantic.
• The character is polyromantic and asexual.

The related noun polyromanticism names the orientation:

• The discussion included polyromanticism and panromanticism.

Although polyromantic may function as a noun, polyromantic person often sounds more natural.

• poly-, meaning many or several;
• romantic, referring to romantic attraction or relationships.

In this context, poly- refers to the number of genders included in potential romantic attraction. It does not mean that the person wants several romantic partners at the same time.

Polyamorous describes a relationship orientation or practice involving the possibility of having more than one consensual romantic or intimate relationship at the same time.

The terms answer different questions:

• Polyromantic concerns which genders someone may find romantically attractive.
• Polyamorous concerns how many consensual relationships someone may want or maintain.

A polyromantic person may be strictly monogamous. A polyamorous person may be romantically attracted to only one gender.

Polyromantic generally emphasizes attraction toward several genders, but not necessarily all.

The two identities may overlap considerably. Someone may choose biromantic because of its familiarity and community history, while another may prefer polyromantic because it more clearly describes attraction toward several specific genders.

Neither label requires attraction to be equal across genders.

Panromantic generally describes romantic attraction toward people of any gender or regardless of gender.

For example:

• A polyromantic person may be attracted to women and several nonbinary genders but not men.
• A panromantic person may experience romantic attraction without gender acting as a limit.

The distinction is useful to some people, though personal definitions may vary.

Polyromantic does not necessarily include every gender.

An omniromantic person may experience attraction differently depending on gender while remaining open to romance with all genders. A polyromantic person may experience attraction toward several genders but not others.

Polyromantic may be treated as a more specific identity within that broader category.

A multiromantic person may be biromantic, panromantic, omniromantic, polyromantic, or use another related label. Not everyone who experiences attraction toward multiple genders uses an umbrella term.

The distinction between polyromantic and pluriromantic is not always strict. Some speakers use them similarly. Others use polyromantic more specifically for attraction toward several but not all genders.

The person’s own definition should guide respectful usage.

Polysexual concerns sexual attraction toward several genders.

A person may be both polyromantic and polysexual if their romantic and sexual attractions include similar genders. However, the patterns may differ.

For example, someone may be:

• polyromantic and asexual;
• polyromantic and bisexual;
• polyromantic and heterosexual;
• polyromantic and homosexual;
• polyromantic and demisexual.

It may involve wanting to:

• date;
• fall in love;
• exchange romantic affection;
• become committed partners;
• share emotional intimacy;
• celebrate anniversaries;
• build a shared life.

People define romance differently. Romantic attraction does not automatically require sex, kissing, marriage, cohabitation, or lifelong commitment.

It may help explain identities such as:

• polyromantic asexual;
• polyromantic bisexual;
• polyromantic heterosexual;
• polyromantic homosexual;
• polyromantic demisexual.

This model is especially useful to some asexual-spectrum and aromantic-spectrum people. Others experience romantic and sexual attraction as closely connected and prefer a single broader identity term.

A person may experience attraction:

• more strongly toward one gender;
• more frequently toward certain genders;
• differently depending on gender;
• only under particular emotional conditions;
• in patterns that change over time.

They do not need to measure or divide their attraction into exact percentages.

A polyromantic person remains polyromantic while:

• dating someone of one gender;
• married;
• single;
• celibate;
• not seeking a relationship;
• in a monogamous partnership.

One relationship reflects one connection, not the full range of genders toward whom the person may experience romantic attraction.

• monogamy;
• polyamory;
• another form of consensual nonmonogamy;
• marriage;
• casual dating;
• long-term partnership;
• queerplatonic relationships;
• single life.

Being romantically attracted to several genders does not mean wanting several partners. Relationship structure is a separate matter based on personal preferences and agreements.

Polyromantic means attraction to everyone.
A person may be attracted to several genders without being attracted to every gender or every individual.

Polyromantic and polysexual are identical.
One concerns romantic attraction, while the other concerns sexual attraction.

Attraction must be equal across genders.
Its intensity, frequency, and emotional quality may vary.

A polyromantic person must date several genders.
Identity does not require a particular dating history.

Polyromantic people cannot be monogamous.
Romantic orientation does not determine the number of partners someone wants.

• identify as polyromantic;
• polyromantic identity;
• polyromantic orientation;
• polyromantic attraction;
• polyromantic asexual;
• openly polyromantic;
• polyromantic representation;
• polyromantic and polysexual.

• An asexual person experiences romantic attraction toward several genders.
• A polyromantic woman remains polyromantic while dating a man.
• Someone feels romantic attraction toward women and nonbinary people but not men.
• A polyromantic person chooses a monogamous marriage.
• Someone identifies as both polyromantic and bisexual.
• A fictional character develops romantic feelings for people of several genders.
• A person distinguishes their polyromantic identity from polyamory.
• Partners discuss differences between romantic and sexual attraction.

1. They identify as polyromantic and asexual.
2. Polyromantic attraction may include people of several genders.
3. Her romantic and sexual orientations follow different patterns.
4. Polyromantic does not mean polyamorous.
5. Attraction does not need to be equal across genders.
6. His current partner does not erase his polyromantic identity.
7. A polyromantic person may prefer a monogamous relationship.
8. Panromantic and polyromantic have related but distinct meanings.
9. No one must date several genders to prove their orientation.
10. Romantic attraction does not automatically imply sexual desire.

A polyromantic person may have any sexual orientation. They may experience sexual attraction toward several genders, one gender, all genders, or no genders. Polyromantic identity also does not indicate libido, sexual behavior, monogamy, polyamory, or willingness to engage in sexual activity.

Romantic interest never creates sexual consent. Healthy relationships require honest communication about affection, relationship expectations, sexual boundaries, physical touch, bodily autonomy, and freely given agreement.