metamour
/ˈmɛtəmʊər/
UncommonYour partner's partner, with whom you have no romantic connection yourself.
The relationship with a metamour can range from close friendship to polite strangers. The term is neutral and doesn't imply a particular dynamic.
Real-world examples4 examples
| # | Example | What it means | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | my metamour and i ended up becoming good friends. we bonded over dating the same chaotic person. | Two people who share a partner developed their own genuine friendship. | reddit, 2024 |
| 02 | never met my metamour in person. we've texted once. parallel poly does that. | In a parallel poly structure, metamours may have very little contact. | reddit, 2023 |
| 03 | having a good relationship with your metamour makes everything so much easier | A functional or friendly dynamic between metamours reduces friction in the broader relationship network. | tiktok, 2023 |
| 04 | my metamour texted me out of nowhere to check in after my surgery. didn't expect that. | A metamour showed unexpected care, deepening the relationship beyond just a shared partner connection. | x, 2024 |
Use it when
- Referring to a partner's other partner in polyamorous contexts.
- Describing a specific person in your relationship network without implying a romantic connection.
- Discussing dynamics between people connected through a shared partner.
Do not use it when
- You mean an ex of your partner.
- You mean someone you are also romantically involved with.Use “partner” instead.
Variations and related forms
Origin and context
Coined in polyamorous communities, likely in the early 2000s, by combining 'meta' (beyond or adjacent) with 'amour' (love). Describes a relationship connection that exists through rather than with a romantic partner.
- First seen
- early-2000s
- Confidence
- medium
Cite this page
Use this stable URL to reference the entry.
https://slang.fyi/metamourUpdated: 2026-08-28License: CC BY 4.0