This glossary is a starting point. Terminology varies by region, community, and individual preference. When in doubt, ask someone what they mean by a word rather than assuming.
A
Aftercare
Physical and emotional care given after a scene to help participants return to baseline.
Age play
A role-play dynamic in which participants take on ages different from their own.
B
BDSM
An umbrella term for bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, sadism and masochism.
Bottom
The person receiving sensation, submitting, or being tied in a scene.
Breakdown
The process of untying rope in reverse order; also called untying.
Bunny
Informal term for a rope bottom, especially someone who enjoys being tied frequently.
C
Consent
Informed, voluntary, and revocable agreement to participate in an activity.
Contract
A written or verbal agreement outlining roles, rules, and limits in a power dynamic.
Crop
A short whip with a flat or looped tip, used for impact play.
D
Dom(me) / Dominant
The person who takes control in a dominance and submission dynamic.
Drop
An emotional or physical low after a scene as hormones return to baseline.
Dungeon
A playspace designed for BDSM scenes.
Dutch
In rope, a reverse-tension or reverse-wrap technique; context matters.
E
Edge play
Activities with higher physical or emotional risk, requiring advanced skill and trust.
Endorphins
Natural chemicals released during intense sensation that can create euphoria or numbness.
F
Flogger
An impact toy with multiple falls or tails.
Friction
In rope, the grip created between rope and skin or between rope layers.
Full-body tie
A rope pattern that restrains much of the body, often involving multiple body parts.
G
Gasper
Slang for breath play; often considered high-risk edge play.
Good pain / bad pain
Subjective distinction between manageable, welcome sensation and sharp, warning pain.
H
Hard limit
An activity that is absolutely off-limits.
Harness
A rope pattern worn on the torso or hips, often decorative or structural.
Hojo-jutsu
Traditional Japanese martial art of rope capture and restraint; ancestor of shibari/kinbaku.
I
Impact play
Striking the body with hands, floggers, paddles, crops, canes, etc.
K
Kinbaku
Japanese style of erotic rope bondage emphasizing aesthetic and emotional connection.
Kink
A broad term for non-mainstream sexual or erotic interests.
L
Limit
A boundary around what someone will or will not do.
Lock-off
A finishing knot or wrap that secures a tie in place.
M
Masochist
Someone who enjoys receiving pain or intense sensation.
Munch
A casual social gathering for people interested in kink, usually in a public venue.
N
Negotiation
The conversation before a scene about wants, limits, safety, and aftercare.
Non-verbal safeword
A signal used when speech is impossible, such as dropping an object or a hand squeeze.
P
Pain
In BDSM, sensation that may be sought for endorphin release, power exchange, or intensity.
Poly
Short for polyamory, the practice of multiple consensual romantic or sexual relationships.
Predicament bondage
Bondage that forces the bottom to choose between two uncomfortable positions.
R
RACK
Risk-Aware Consensual Kink; a framework that acknowledges risk and emphasizes informed consent.
Restraint
Any method of limiting movement, including rope, cuffs, straps, or furniture.
Rigger
A person who ties rope; sometimes used for any rope top.
Rope burn
Friction abrasion from rope moving quickly across skin.
S
Sadist
Someone who enjoys giving pain or intense sensation.
Safeword
An agreed word or signal that stops or slows a scene.
Scene
A bounded period of BDSM activity with a beginning, middle, and end.
Sensory deprivation
Reducing sensory input, often with blindfolds, hoods, or earplugs.
Shibari
Japanese-inspired decorative rope bondage, often performed for aesthetic or photographic purposes.
Soft limit
A boundary that may be flexible under specific conditions or with negotiation.
SSC
Safe, Sane, and Consensual; an older framework emphasizing safety and mental soundness.
Sub / submissive
A person who consensually yields control in a scene or dynamic.
Suspension
Rope bondage in which some or all of the bottom's weight is supported by rope.
T
Top
The person giving sensation, tying, or taking control in a scene.
Trigger
A stimulus that causes a strong negative emotional or psychological reaction.
V
Vanilla
Informal term for conventional or non-kink sexual interests.
Vetting
The process of checking references, reputation, or compatibility with a potential partner.
W
Warm-up
Gradual introduction of sensation to prepare the body and mind for more intense play.
Wire / synthetic rope
Non-natural-fiber rope such as nylon or MFP; context-specific handling and safety.