Glossary
What is ENM?
ENM stands for ethically non-monogamous. It describes relationships where partners agree to have more than one romantic or sexual connection, with everyone’s informed consent. The word ethically refers to that honesty and agreement.
Where the term comes from
It grew out of the polyamory and open relationship communities, coming into wide use in the 2010s as dating apps began adding relationship-structure options. The word ethically was added deliberately, to distinguish negotiated non-monogamy from deception.
Is ENM the same as polyamory?
Not quite. Polyamory usually describes multiple loving relationships. ENM is the broader umbrella, covering polyamory alongside open relationships, relationship anarchy and other arrangements that may be more sexual than romantic. The one feature common to all of them is that everybody involved knows and agrees.