Swinging
RelationshipsWhat the term means
Swinging describes a form of consensual non-monogamy in which an established couple may agree to interactions with other consenting adults or couples. Exact boundaries vary considerably. It is an agreement about relationships, not proof that all participants share identical interests.
In detail
Some couples regard swinging as a social activity, while others use the term to describe a narrower and more private arrangement. What the word does not mean is secret infidelity: openness and mutual agreement are central to the contemporary definition. The participants decide what information, limits and expectations they share.
Context and distinctions
Swinging and polyamory are related but different. Polyamory commonly emphasises the possibility of multiple romantic relationships, while swinging is often discussed in a different relational context. The term cuckold may occur nearby in glossaries but has its own historical and modern meanings.
