plural throuples
: a consensual romantic relationship involving three people
My girlfriend's ex-husband has moved into a flat with two women. They're all sleeping in one bed and openly telling the world they're a proud throuple.—
Jane O'Gorman
Jane O'GormanOn their first date, he revealed he was polyamorous and hoped she wouldn't mind. He'd been part of a throuple that had just given their third the heave-ho.—Taffy Brodesser-Akner
Taffy Brodesser-Akner… TV shows and movies that depict throuples, polycules and other permutations of open relationships …—Alexandra Alter
Alexandra AlterExamples of throuple in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Then again, not every artist has a family history quite like Baerwald’s, one that includes Germany and Japan, two world wars, a 1920s throuple and Beethoven’s Ninth.
—Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Love Island graciously afforded these throuples with an absurdly large bed.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 June 2026
Adult Braces is many things: a paean to the varied landscapes of America, an advert for #vanlife, a reminder to be grateful that your partner hasn’t talked you into a throuple with a much thinner woman.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
The red pigeon in Barnes’ throuple was presumed to be female because it had never been seen courting.
—Lisa Gutierrez
march 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
The film ends with Lady Susan setting herself up in a kind of throuple, although one member of the ménage is too stupid to be so informed.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025
Hannah, in addition to all of the mayhem, Ava becomes part of a throuple.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Mary-Louise Parker is getting caught up in a deadly throuple on Elsbeth.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 18 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Bethanne Patrick, Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2026
Love Island graciously afforded these throuples with an absurdly large bed.
—Bethy Squires, Vulture, 4 June 2026
Adult Braces is many things: a paean to the varied landscapes of America, an advert for #vanlife, a reminder to be grateful that your partner hasn’t talked you into a throuple with a much thinner woman.
—Helen Lewis, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2026
The red pigeon in Barnes’ throuple was presumed to be female because it had never been seen courting.
—Lisa Gutierrez
march 13, Kansas City Star, 13 Mar. 2026
The film ends with Lady Susan setting herself up in a kind of throuple, although one member of the ménage is too stupid to be so informed.
—Tom Gliatto, People.com, 19 July 2025
Hannah, in addition to all of the mayhem, Ava becomes part of a throuple.
—Ew Staff, EW.com, 24 Apr. 2025
Mary-Louise Parker is getting caught up in a deadly throuple on Elsbeth.
—Vlada Gelman, TVLine, 18 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Throuple.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/throuple. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
