Glossary of kinky terms
These terms won’t just tell you how it can be — they might just help you understand kinky & shibari - what you actually crave.
Kinky (adj.): relating to unconventional sexual preferences or practices, often involving fetishes, roleplay, or BDSM.
Shibari (n.): a Japanese form of rope bondage, often artistic and erotic, that involves intricate patterns and intentional restraint.
Sexuality isn’t limited to “vanilla” — there’s a whole universe of kink practices, fetishes, somatic exploration, and deep human connection. In this glossary, we’ve collected over 50 terms to help you understand what BDSM really is, the most common fetish types, what orgasm can look and feel like, what aftercare in BDSM means, and how not to get lost in the wild world of kinky acronyms.
This kinky dictionary is your field guide — whether you’re a curious newbie or an experienced explorer of alternative pleasure. From shibari to squirting, from terms to ethics — it’s all here. Informative, cheeky, and unapologetically body-positive. Because kink isn't just about sex. It's about the freedom to be yourself.
A
Aftercare – The care given after a session. Think cuddles, blankets, water, or just being present. A return to earth after flying high.
Age play – Roleplay involving age-based dynamics: “baby girl” and “daddy”, “mommy” and “little boy”. It’s about care, trust, and some creative fantasy.
Anal play – Erotic exploration of the anal area — from gentle touch to toys or massage.
B
Bondage – The art of restraint. Ropes, belts, cuffs — from basic ties to shibari masterpieces.
Breath play – Playing with breath control. Sensations on the edge — dangerous without proper skill.
Brat – A submissive who loves to misbehave, tease, and provoke their Dominant. Naughty on purpose.
C
Collar – A symbol of belonging or simply a sexy prop in play.
Consent – Informed, enthusiastic agreement. No kink, no trust, no fun — without it.
Cuckolding – Getting turned on by watching your partner have sex with someone else.
D
Dom (Dominant) – The one who leads, guides, sets the rules. The captain of the kink ship.
Dungeon – A dedicated BDSM space — think crosses, ropes, floggers, and moody lighting.
Double penetration – Two kinds of penetration at once. A popular royal fantasy.
E
Edge play – Risky play that pushes physical or psychological limits. Not for the faint-hearted.
Exhibitionism – Getting off on being seen — naked, sexual, or simply exposed.
F
Fetish – When a thing turns you on more than the act itself. Latex, leather, feet — you name it.
Fire play – Erotic use of flame. Visually stunning, extremely risky. Only for trained pros.
Fisting – Inserting the hand (partially or fully) into the vagina or anus.
Flogger – A multi-tailed whip used for light to intense impact play.
Foot fetish – A turn-on for feet, toes, stockings, or heels.
G–H
Gag – Anything used to silence the mouth during bondage or D/s scenes.
Gimp – A submissive fully dressed in latex or leather, often with restricted mobility.
Hard limit – An absolute no-go. Don’t ask, don’t cross.
Humiliation play – Erotic degradation — verbal or physical — always agreed upon beforehand.
I–K
Impact play – Striking the body using hands, paddles, crops, or whips. Rhythm + sensation.
Knife play – Sensual exploration using the cold edge of a blade. Danger kink 101.
Kink – Any sexual expression that deviates from the “vanilla” norm. Your flavor, your rules.
L–M
Latex fetish – Arousal from latex, PVC, or anything tight and shiny. Like a second skin.
Leash – Used in pet play or D/s scenes for physical control.
Limit (soft/hard) – Boundaries: soft = maybe with care, hard = absolutely not.
Masochism – Finding pleasure in pain. Slaps, spanks, stings — the body as a playground.
Medical play – Doctor-patient fantasy with erotic examination or tools.
Mummification – Full-body wrapping (plastic, fabric) for intense immobility.
N–P
Needle play – Using sterile needles for surface-level piercing. For the advanced only.
Orgasm control – Holding back or denying orgasm to build intensity and connection.
Pet play – Roleplaying as animals — puppies, kittens, ponies — with behavior and outfits.
Paddling – Impact play using a flat wooden or leather paddle. Satisfying smacks and red marks.
Primal play – Raw, instinctual sex play. No roles, no script — just animal energy.
R
Rigger – The person who ties in bondage/shibari scenes. Rope artist, tension master.
Rope marks – The beautiful indentations left on skin after being tied. Badge of pride.
Role play – Creating erotic scenarios: teacher-student, pirates, aliens — let the fantasy roam.
S
Sadism – Deriving pleasure from inflicting consensual pain. Balanced by care.
Sensory deprivation – Removing senses (sight, hearing, touch) to heighten others.
Shibari – Japanese rope bondage focused on beauty, restraint, and intimacy.
Slave – A submissive in a total power exchange relationship. Requires deep trust.
Soft limit – A maybe — depends on mood, trust, and communication.
Switch – Someone who can play both Dom and sub roles — depending on the vibe.
T–W
Topping from the bottom – A submissive subtly controlling the dynamic from below.
Trampling – Walking or stepping on a partner’s body. Intense sensation, big power shift.
Vanilla – Conventional sex. No kink, no power play — just sweet and simple.
Wax play – Dripping warm wax on the skin for pain and pleasure.
Whipping – Striking with a whip — from soft tease to intense release.
❓What's Next?
Want to dive deeper into the kinky world through real practice, conscious play, and emotional intelligence? Check out our guide: “5 Steps into Shibari” — your first knot toward sensual self-expression.
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