Wikipedia

Polycule

In polyamory, a polycule is a group of individuals involved in romantic relationships that connect all the members in the group.[1][2] It is not necessary for every individual of the polycule to be in a relationship with every other individual, and also not common.[3][4] The most simple and arguably most common polycule structure is a V shaped structure, a three-person polycule where one person is dating the two others, but the two others are not dating one another.

Etymology

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Derived as an analog to the way that atomic bonds connect the atoms in a molecule, the word is a portmanteau of polyamory and molecule.

The origin of the term is not clear, but it seems to have entered the popular lexicon starting in the early 2010s.[1] By the 2020s, discussions of polycules had entered the mainstream media.[5][6]

Terms

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While polycules can take on many different configurations, there are a few common structures and terms.[2]

Some of these structures are tileable (e.g. a V that one of the branches is in another V structure)

  • V structure describes a three-person polycule where one person is dating the two others, but the two others are not dating one another.[2]
  • N structure describes a four-person polycule where each couple contributes one person to a third relationship. It takes its name from the letter "N", since each line represents a relationship, and each end point represents an individual.[2]
  • Throuple describes a group of three people where all individuals are in a relationship with the other two people in the group. It is also known as a type of triad.[7]
  • Quad describes a four-person polycule. While N structures are all quads, not all quads are N structures.[7][2]
  • Metamour is a term that refers to one's partner's partner.[2]
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  • The Canadian television sitcom Schitt's Creek includes a depiction of a three-person V structure polycule, with former lovers and best friends David Rose and Stevie Budd briefly simultaneously dating a third character, Jake. The polycule officially dissolves when Jake suggests the formation of a throuple, which David and Stevie decline.[8]
  • The television program Riverdale series finale revealed a four-person polycule, or quad, between Archie, Betty, Veronica and Jughead.[9]
  • In season 3 of Bridgerton, Benedict Bridgerton explores being in a "throuple" with Lady Tilly Arnold and Paul Suarez.[10]
  • Luca Guadagnino's 2024 movie Challengers drew social media references to the three characters of Tashi, Patrick and Art as a "throuple".[11] However, members of the polyamorous community pushed back on using the "throuple" term since the relationship dynamics didn't follow the conventions of ethical non-monogamy and transparency.[11]
  • The video game Deltarune has a throuple in its third chapter, featuring the characters of Lanino, Elnina, and Rouxls Kaard, with Rouxls referring to the three as a "Battle Throuple".[12]

References

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  1. ^ a b Bergner, Interviews by Daniel (2024-04-15). "Lessons From a 20-Person Polycule". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Dumais, Eliza; Engle, Gigi (2024-01-18). "Sure, We'll Tell You About Polycules". Cosmopolitan. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  3. ^ Bote, Joshua. "What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  4. ^ Angelini, Jillian (2024-04-09). "Polycules Are Common In Ethical Non-Monogamy – Here's What They Are". Women's Health. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  5. ^ Davis, Allison P. (2024-01-16). "What Does a Polycule Actually Look Like?". The Cut. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  6. ^ "Sure, We'll Tell You About Polycules". Cosmopolitan. 2024-01-18. Retrieved 2024-08-09.
  7. ^ a b Bote, Joshua (2020-02-14). "What you need to know about polyamory – including throuples – but were too afraid to ask". USA TODAY. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  8. ^ Ivey, Madilyn (2021-04-09). "Schitt's Creek: 7 Relationships That Fans Knew Were Doomed From The Start". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2025-04-16.
  9. ^ Holland, Becca (2023-09-02). "'Riverdale's Finale Quad Is the Right Way to Handle a Ship Endgame Debate". Collider. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  10. ^ Lang, Cady (2024-06-13). "Even Bridgerton Is Flirting With Polyamory". TIME. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  11. ^ a b Mayeda, Olivia Cruz (2024-05-02). "'Challengers' Has Ignited 'Throuple' Discourse – One Polyamorous Couple Weighs In". www.kqed.org. Retrieved 2024-07-21.
  12. ^ Loyarte, Julián Jorge Fernández (2025-06-07). "8 Best Deltarune Characters, Ranked". Game Rant. Retrieved 2025-07-06.

See also

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