Common Definitions in Kink & BDSM
Definitions of terms in kink and BDSM are as wide-ranging as kinksters themselves. Finding the answer you need isn’t always easy.
When newcomers join the lifestyle, one of the most common things they ask is “What is...” and there are a whole lot of kinky terms out there. Finding kink definitions and examples can be a real challenge. Below is our ever-expanding list of the most commonly queried terms in kink and BDSM.
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Browse our Definitions articles below, or search for something specific!
While there's a lot of overlap between the two, here's a simple breakdown of what's different about the terms.
Get stabby with needle play, knife play, and other forms of blood and sharps play.
What is this kind of scene, you might wonder. Well, it’s exactly what it sounds like, and it can get pretty wild.
Learn about the different types of orgasm control; from too many to too few!
Explore D/s dynamics, and the Dominants and submissives that call it their kink.
S&M doesn't have to be a pain in the... Oh, wait. That's kind of the point.
Kink and BDSM can be powerful tools to overcome trauma, but trauma can also have a negative impact on the experience of kink and BDSM.
Learn about the different roles, labels, and honorifics commonly found in BDSM.
What is impact play, and how does it affect the body? Where should you hit? More importantly, where shouldn’t you?
Age Play sometimes gets a bad rep, but what is it, and how is it different from Adult Baby Diaper Lovers?
Four different forms of gender expression. Four different methods. Four different meanings.
Does erotic hypnosis really work, or is it all a state of mind? Read our detailed considerations for hypnokink.
Nonconsensual pornography, known as revenge porn, can happen to anyone. Know what to do if it happens to you.