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aftercare
The practice of providing care and support to a partner after a BDSM session to ensure their physical and emotional wellbeing.
Explore the world of BDSM with our comprehensive A-Z list of terms and definitions. From bondage and impact play to urolagnia and zealous zealots, we’ve got you covered.
At its core, BDSM is about power exchange, with one partner taking on a dominant role and the other submitting. This power dynamic can be expressed in a variety of ways, from bondage and impact play to orgasm control and role-playing.
To help navigate this rich and varied landscape, we’ve compiled an A-Z list of BDSM terms that covers everything from common practices like aftercare and consent to more niche fetishes like urolagnia and xenophilia.
The practice of providing care and support to a partner after a BDSM session to ensure their physical and emotional wellbeing.
The practice of restraining a partner’s movements for erotic or aesthetic purposes using ropes, chains, cuffs, or other devices.
The agreement to participate in BDSM activities, which should always be informed, enthusiastic, and freely given.
A person who takes on a controlling or authoritative role in a BDSM dynamic, often referred to as a Dom or Domme.
BDSM activities that are considered risky or dangerous, also considered as risk-aware consensual kink.
A strong sexual attraction to a particular object, body part, or activity that is outside the norm.
A form of BDSM play involving urine play
The specific BDSM activities or practices that a person is not willing to participate in under any circumstances.
BDSM activities that involve striking the body with hands, paddles, whips, or other implements.
The specialized terminology used in the BDSM community to describe practices, roles, and activities.
An umbrella term that refers to a range of non-normative sexual practices or desires, including BDSM.
Person’s BDSM limits: Soft (uncertain activities) and hard limits (activities they won’t do).
A person who derives pleasure from receiving pain or humiliation in a BDSM context.
The process of discussing and agreeing upon BDSM activities and boundaries with a partner before engaging in play.
BDSM activities that involve controlling or denying a partner’s orgasms, such as edging or forced orgasm.
The dynamic in BDSM relationships where one partner submits to the authority of another.
A BDSM activity where a dominant partner sits on the face of a submissive partner, often involving oral sex
A specific form of bondage that involves using ropes to restrain a partner’s movements in intricate and visually pleasing patterns.
A word or phrase that is agreed upon by BDSM partners to signal when play needs to stop immediately.
The partner who takes on a dominant role in a BDSM dynamic, often referred to as a Dom or Domme.
A fetish for urine, often involving golden showers.
The opposite of BDSM, referring to sexual practices that are considered mainstream or “normal.”
BDSM activities that involve dripping hot wax onto a partner’s body for erotic or aesthetic purposes.
A fetish for people from other cultures or races.
A form of erotic massage that focuses on the vulva and vagina.
A term used to describe a person who is extremely passionate about BDSM and may be intolerant of those who are not as committed.
The practice of providing care and support to a partner after a BDSM session to ensure their physical and emotional wellbeing.
The practice of restraining a partner’s movements for erotic or aesthetic purposes using ropes, chains, cuffs, or other devices.
The agreement to participate in BDSM activities, which should always be informed, enthusiastic, and freely given.
A person who takes on a controlling or authoritative role in a BDSM dynamic, often referred to as a Dom or Domme.
BDSM activites that are considered risky or dangerous, such as a breath play or knife play.
A strong sexual attraction to a particular object, body part, or activity that is outside the norm.
A form of BDSM play involving urine play.
The specific BDSM activities or practices that a person is not willing to participate in under any circumstances.
BDSM activities that involve striking the body with hands, paddles, whips, or other implements.
The specialized terminology used in the BDSM community to describe practices, roles, and activities.
An umbrella term that refers to a range of non-normative sexual practices or desires, including BDSM.
Person’s BDSM limits: Soft (uncertain activities) and hard limits (activities they won’t do).
A person who derives pleasure from receiving pain or humiliation in a BDSM context.
The process of discussing and agreeing upon BDSM activities and boundaries with a partner before engaging in play.
BDSM activities that involve controlling or denying a partner’s orgasms, such as edging or forced orgasm.
The dynamic in BDSM relationships where one partner submits to the authority of another.
A BDSM activity where a dominant partner sits on the face of a submissive partner, often involving oral sex
A specific form of bondage that involves using ropes to restrain a partner’s movements in intricate and visually pleasing patterns.
A word or phrase that is agreed upon by BDSM partners to signal when play needs to stop immediately.
The partner who takes on a dominant role in a BDSM dynamic, often referred to as a Dom or Domme.
A fetish for urine, often involving golden showers.
The opposite of BDSM, referring to sexual practices that are considered mainstream or “normal.”
BDSM activities that involve dripping hot wax onto a partner’s body for erotic or aesthetic purposes.
A fetish for people from other cultures or races.
A form of erotic massage that focuses on the vulva and vagina.
A term used to describe a person who is extremely passionate about BDSM and may be intolerant of those who are not as committed.
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