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List of Kinks: Meanings & Definitions

Plain-language definitions of 90 kink and BDSM terms. Search by name or browse the sections below.

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What is a kink?

A kink is an interest or preference that differs from what a person or culture considers conventional. Some involve fantasies or roles, others involve materials, sensations or relationship dynamics. This isn't a definitive list of every interest, and descriptions can vary between communities and individuals.

Being curious about a term doesn't mean you want to try it. Consent, boundaries, communication and risk awareness remain essential for any real-world activity. This reference provides definitions, not instructions for high-risk practices.

90 terms

Power & roles

16 terms

24/7 dynamic

An ongoing relationship structure involving negotiated roles beyond individual scenes. Consent and boundaries remain relevant.

Aftercare

Emotional or practical support following an intense, agreed experience; what helps varies by person.

BDSM

An umbrella abbreviation for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. Not every participant enjoys every part.

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Bottom

A person who receives or experiences a particular activity; a bottom is not necessarily submissive.

Brat

A person who enjoys playful challenge or resistance within an agreed dynamic.

Brat tamer

A partner who enjoys responding to agreed playful defiance, typically with guidance or structure.

Dominance

An interest in leading or taking agreed control in a power-exchange dynamic. It does not imply permanent authority.

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Femdom

Female dominance; a broad term for consensual dynamics in which a woman takes a leading role. Practices and preferences vary widely.

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Gentle femdom

A softer, often nurturing style of female-led power exchange emphasizing encouragement and care. Not a universally defined role.

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Master / Mistress

An agreed title for a dominant partner in some power-exchange dynamics. A title does not override consent.

Power exchange

A consensual arrangement where people negotiate giving and receiving some authority. Scope and limits must be agreed.

Service submission

Finding fulfillment in voluntarily helping or carrying out agreed tasks for someone.

Submission

An interest in voluntarily following another person within negotiated boundaries. Submission is not the absence of choice.

Switch

Someone interested in both leading and following roles, depending on context.

Top

The person directing or performing an activity; a top is not always dominant.

Communication & consent

10 terms

Boundaries

Personal limits that clarify what is and is not welcome.

Check-in

A moment to confirm comfort, boundaries and continued consent.

Hard limit

An activity or situation someone does not agree to explore. A hard limit must be respected.

Negotiation

Discussing preferences, expectations, limits and safety before trying something.

RACK

Risk-Aware Consensual Kink; a framework emphasizing informed acknowledgment of risks. Not a guarantee that an activity is safe.

Safeword

An agreed word or signal used to pause or stop an interaction. Nonverbal signals matter when speech is difficult.

Soft limit

Something a person is unsure about or only willing to consider under specific circumstances. Not permission by default.

SSC

Safe, Sane and Consensual; a commonly discussed guideline for responsible kink.

Subdrop

An informal term for difficult physical or emotional feelings some people experience after intensity. Responses differ between people.

Restraint & discipline

9 terms

Blindfold play

Consensual use of a blindfold to change visual awareness. Communication and physical safety remain important.

Bondage

Consensual restraint or restriction of movement using agreed methods. Can involve serious physical risks.

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Chastity

An agreed restriction relating to sexual activity or access, sometimes part of a power dynamic. Avoid assuming a given setup is safe or comfortable.

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Discipline

Agreed rules and consequences within a consensual role or relationship.

Rope bunny

An informal name for someone who enjoys receiving rope bondage.

Sensory restriction

Deliberately changing or limiting one sense with consent. Keep communication accessible.

Service tasks

Negotiated activities or responsibilities that form part of a service-oriented dynamic.

Time-limited rules

Agreed restrictions or structured routines that last for a specified duration.

Sensation & teasing

10 terms

Edging

Deliberately delaying gratification as part of a consensual experience. Different people use the term differently.

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Impact play

Consensual activities involving striking or tapping sensations, sometimes including spanking. Involves physical risk.

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Temperature play

Using contrasting temperatures for agreed sensory exploration. Heat or cold can injure skin.

Tickling

Consensual tickling, sometimes incorporated into sensation or control games. Not everyone finds tickling comfortable.

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Wax play

A sensation practice involving warm wax. Burns are possible; not a beginner safety guide.

Roleplay & imagination

11 terms

Age play

Consensual roleplay between adults involving imagined ages or social roles. This glossary covers adults only.

Caregiver roleplay

An adult roleplay dynamic with negotiated nurturing and caregiving themes.

Fantasy

An imagined scenario or idea that appeals to someone. Fantasies do not necessarily reflect real-world wishes.

Hypnosis roleplay

An agreed performance or imaginative scenario using hypnotic themes. Entertainment claims should not be confused with clinical hypnosis.

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Primal play

Consensual fantasy centered on instinctive or animal-inspired roles. Negotiate boundaries and avoid assumptions.

Roleplay

Using characters or fictional situations as part of an agreed experience. Imagined roles do not override limits.

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Psychological & verbal

8 terms

Humiliation

An agreed dynamic involving embarrassment or vulnerability. Should not be confused with nonconsensual mistreatment.

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JOI

An abbreviation for jerk-off instruction; a type of guided adult performance. Commercial offerings vary.

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Mind play

A broad informal label for psychological tension, surprises or negotiated power cues. Not a standardized term.

Praise

An agreed interaction emphasizing encouragement and positive feedback.

SPH

Small penis humiliation; a specific consensual humiliation interest. Not appropriate to apply without clear agreement.

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Teasing

Playful verbal or nonverbal provocation intended to build anticipation.

Verbal domination

A style of consensual direction using words and tone.

Observation & performance

8 terms

Private show

An adult performance intended for a limited paying or invited audience. Privacy and pricing depend on the platform.

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Voyeurism

Interest in consensually watching others in an agreed setting. Nonconsensual observation is not okay.

Fetishes & preferences

10 terms

Cuckolding

A fantasy or relationship dynamic involving a partner and another person, with meanings varying by individual. All parties must consent to real-world arrangements.

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Fetish

A strong preference or focus on a particular object, body part, material or scenario. The term is used broadly in everyday speech.

Latex fetish

Interest in latex clothing or its appearance, texture or symbolism.

Uniform roleplay

Using fictional or costume uniforms as part of agreed character play. Costumes do not imply professional authority.

Worship

Consensual admiration or ritualized attention to a person or specific focus.

Financial & relationship

8 terms

Findom

Financial domination; a consensual dynamic in which money, gifts or spending are part of negotiated power exchange. Boundaries and financial wellbeing matter.

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Hotwife

A consensual relationship/fantasy term used in some non-monogamy contexts. Definitions vary.

Long-distance dynamic

A negotiated relationship or role structure conducted partly or entirely at a distance.

Non-monogamy

A relationship arrangement that allows more than two participants under mutually agreed terms. Not inherently a kink.

Online domination

Consensual power exchange over messaging, video or other online communication.

Paypig

A term some participants use for the spending or submissive role in findom. Not everyone welcomes the label.

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Tribute

A payment or gift given as part of a negotiated interaction, often in findom. Never assume a payment is required without clear terms.

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Find out what interests you

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