Word
threesome
Phoneticsthree·some, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈθɹisəm/
UK/θɹˈiːsʌm/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a group of three people who do something together. It is often used to describe three people having sex together, but it can also mean a group of three in sports or music.
n. a group of three people engaged in a joint activity. While frequently used to describe a sexual encounter involving three participants, it also applies to trios in golf or musical ensembles.
Examples
“The three friends formed a threesome for the golf tournament.”
“After their third partner joined the venture, the duo became a productive threesome that managed the firm effectively.”
“The narrative explores the shifting dynamics of a domestic threesome, tracing how the introduction of a third party destabilizes the original couple's long-standing emotional equilibrium.”
Examples
simple
“The three friends formed a threesome for the golf tournament.”
contextual
“After their third partner joined the venture, the duo became a productive threesome that managed the firm effectively.”
complex
“The narrative explores the shifting dynamics of a domestic threesome, tracing how the introduction of a third party destabilizes the original couple's long-standing emotional equilibrium.”
Usage
Commonly used in both casual social contexts and specific sexual contexts; the latter is the dominant modern association.
Etymology
From three + -some.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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