The complete FETBOMB fetish and kink glossary — Part 3 covering Q to Z. Every term, role, dynamic, practice, and fetish defined clearly and without judgment. Use the navigation below to jump to any letter or return to earlier sections.
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Part 1 — A to F | Part 2 — G to P | Part 3 — Q to Z (you are here)
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Q
Queening
The act of sitting on a partner's face for oral sex — particularly in femdom dynamics. The dominant partner (typically female) sits on the submissive's face, controlling both the act and the submissive's breathing. A common femdom practice with its own dedicated furniture (queening stools or face chairs) in some dungeon setups.
Queer Kink
The broad intersection of queer identity and BDSM or kink practice. Queer kink encompasses the ways in which LGBTQ+ people incorporate their sexuality, gender identity, and community into kink dynamics — including gender play, queer D/s structures, and kink practices developed specifically within LGBTQ+ communities rather than adopted from heterosexual BDSM culture.
R
RACK (Risk-Aware Consensual Kink)
A consent framework used in BDSM as an alternative to SSC (Safe, Sane and Consensual). RACK acknowledges that some BDSM activities carry inherent risk that cannot be fully eliminated — the goal is to be fully aware of those risks and to consent to them knowingly rather than to claim all play is fully safe. Particularly relevant for edge play. See also: SSC, Edge Play.
Relationship Anarchy
A relationship philosophy that rejects traditional labels and hierarchies entirely — refusing to distinguish between romantic, sexual, and platonic relationships in terms of priority or validity. Relationship anarchists form connections based on personal ethics and mutual agreement rather than social conventions about what constitutes a "real" relationship. See also: Polyamory, ENM.
Retifism
Sexual arousal from shoes — particularly high heels, stilettos, or specific shoe styles. One of the most common clothing and footwear fetishes. Closely related to foot fetishism and leg fetishism. The shoe itself is the primary focus rather than the foot wearing it.
Role Play
The adoption of specific characters, personas, or scenarios as part of BDSM or erotic play. Common roleplay scenarios include doctor/patient, teacher/student, captor/captive, and countless others. Role play allows participants to explore dynamics, power structures, and scenarios they find erotic in a clearly fictional and consensual context.
Rope Bondage
Bondage using rope as the primary material. The most widely practiced form of bondage. Rope bondage ranges from simple wrist ties to complex full-body harnesses. Material, style of tying, and intent vary widely. See also: Bondage, Shibari, Kinbaku, Suspension.
Ruined Orgasm
A form of orgasm control in which a Dominant brings a submissive to the point of orgasm and then removes stimulation — resulting in an unsatisfying, incomplete orgasm. A specific and well-established edge of orgasm control practice within D/s and femdom dynamics. See also: Orgasm Control, Tease and Denial.
S
Sadism
Deriving sexual pleasure from inflicting pain, humiliation, or suffering on another person. One of the two components of S/M in BDSM. Consensual sadism within BDSM is practiced with willing, enthusiastic masochists — the distinction between consensual BDSM sadism and genuine harmful behaviour is complete, informed consent. See also: Masochism, S/M.
Safeword
A pre-agreed word or signal used by any participant to immediately pause or stop a BDSM scene. The most common system is the traffic light — red means stop immediately, yellow means slow down or check in, green means continue. Non-verbal safewords (tapping, dropping an object) are used when speech is difficult. Safewords are non-negotiable in responsible BDSM practice.
Salirophilia
Sexual arousal from soiling or dirtying another person — with food, mud, paint, or other substances. Related to wet and messy fetishism and degradation dynamics. See also: Wet and Messy Fetishism.
Scene
A defined period of BDSM activity between partners — with a clear beginning, middle, and end. A scene is distinct from the ongoing dynamic or relationship. The community term for a BDSM session or play session. "Playing a scene" means engaging in a defined BDSM activity.
Sensation Play
BDSM activities focused on the full range of physical sensations — temperature (hot wax, ice), texture (feathers, leather, Wartenberg wheel), impact (floggers, paddles), and electrical stimulation. Sensation play focuses on the body's sensory experience as the primary erotic element rather than pain or power exchange specifically.
Sensory Deprivation
The removal or reduction of one or more senses as part of BDSM play — most commonly sight (blindfolds), hearing (earplugs or headphones), or touch (restrictive bondage). Heightens remaining senses, creates vulnerability and dependence on a partner, and can produce powerful headspace and altered states.
Service Submission
A form of submission expressed primarily through acts of service — domestic tasks, errands, care, and devotion — rather than through sexual or physical dynamics. Common in lifestyle M/s and D/s relationships where the power exchange extends into daily life. See also: D/s, M/s, Submission.
Shibari
Japanese decorative rope bondage — an art form in its own right with aesthetic, psychological, and physical dimensions. Shibari focuses on the beauty of the rope patterns and the connection between rigger and rope bottom. Workshops and classes run regularly across the UK and internationally. See also: Kinbaku, Rope Bondage, Bondage.
Shoe Fetishism
Sexual arousal from shoes — particularly high heels, stilettos, boots, or specific shoe styles. One of the most common fetishes globally. Can overlap with foot fetishism (the foot in the shoe) or exist independently of it (the shoe itself as the focus). See also: Retifism, Foot Fetishism.
Sissy
A person — typically a cisgender man — who takes on a hyper-feminine, submissive role within a BDSM or D/s dynamic. Sissification is a widely practiced fetish within femdom and D/s culture involving feminisation of clothing, behaviour, and persona. See also: Sissification, Femdom.
Sissification
The kink practice of feminising a typically male-bodied person within a BDSM dynamic — adopting feminine clothing, makeup, behaviour, and persona as part of a power exchange. One of the most commonly requested femdom practices. Distinguished from transgender identity. See also: Sissy, Femdom, Humiliation Play.
Slave
A submissive in a formal M/s dynamic who has surrendered significantly more autonomy than in standard D/s — often with greater protocol, more defined rules, and a deeper sense of identity built around service and surrender. Lowercased by community convention. See also: Master, M/s, D/s.
S/M (Sadism and Masochism)
The giving and receiving of pain or intense sensation for erotic pleasure. The S/M component of BDSM. Sadists find pleasure in inflicting pain or humiliation; masochists find pleasure in receiving it. Both roles are sought, consensual, and actively desired. See also: Sadism, Masochism, Impact Play.
Soft Limit
An activity a person is hesitant about, uncertain of, or only willing to try under specific conditions — as opposed to a hard limit, which is non-negotiable. Soft limits are discussed during negotiation and may evolve over time as a person's experience and comfort develop. See also: Hard Limit, Limits, Negotiation.
Somnophilia / Dormaphilia
Sexual arousal from a sleeping or unconscious person — or from pretending to be asleep or unconscious. In consensual kink contexts this is practiced with full advance consent as a form of CNC (consensual non-consent) fantasy. Non-consensual acting on somnophilia is sexual assault. See also: CNC.
Sophophilia
Sexual arousal from learning or being taught. Can manifest in teacher/student and mentor/student dynamics within BDSM roleplay. One of the more intellectually framed paraphilias.
Spanking
One of the most widely practiced forms of impact play — striking the buttocks with an open hand. A common entry point into BDSM for many people. Spanking can range from playful and mild through to intense discipline scenes depending on context, intent, and the participants.
Spectrophilia
Sexual attraction to ghosts or spirits. A fantasy and supernatural paraphilia primarily expressed through fiction, roleplay, and artwork rather than real-world contact.
Sploshing / Wet and Messy Fetishism (WAM)
Sexual arousal from being covered in wet or messy substances — food, mud, paint, cream, slime. The tactile and visual experience of mess is the primary erotic focus. One of the more visually distinctive fetishes with a dedicated community and event presence. See also: Food Play, Salirophilia.
SSC (Safe, Sane and Consensual)
The foundational consent framework of the BDSM community. All BDSM activity should be safe (with awareness and management of physical and psychological risk), sane (approached with clear judgement and awareness), and consensual (freely agreed to by all involved). See also: RACK, Consent.
Stigmatophilia
Sexual arousal from body piercings, tattoos, or other forms of body modification. Common within BDSM and alternative communities where body modification intersects with identity expression and ownership marking.
Stray
An unhandled pup who plays independently within the pup play community — without a handler or pack. A respected and recognised identity within pup culture. See also: Pup Play, Handler, Pack.
Sub / Submissive
The partner who yields power, follows the Dominant's lead, and surrenders control within agreed limits in a BDSM dynamic. Submission is an active, deliberate choice requiring significant self-knowledge and courage. Lowercased by community convention. See also: Dom, D/s, Sub-Drop, Sub-Space.
Sub-Drop
The emotional crash that can occur after an intense BDSM scene — characterised by sadness, tearfulness, anxiety, or emptiness as neurochemicals rebalance. Can occur immediately after a scene or days later. A well-recognised phenomenon within the community. Aftercare helps prevent and manage sub-drop. See also: Aftercare, Sub-Space, Dom Drop.
Sub-Space
The altered psychological state a submissive enters during an intense BDSM scene — characterised by floatiness, reduced pain sensation, deep calm, and heightened emotional sensitivity. Sub-space is produced by the release of endorphins and adrenaline during intense play. Returning from sub-space requires appropriate aftercare. See also: Headspace, Aftercare, Sub-Drop.
Suspension
Advanced bondage in which the bound person is suspended fully or partially off the ground using rope or rigging. Requires extensive training, appropriate equipment, and constant monitoring of circulation and breathing. One of the most technically demanding and visually striking forms of bondage. See also: Bondage, Shibari.
Switch
A person who moves fluidly between Dominant and submissive roles — within the same relationship or across different ones. One of the most common BDSM orientations (studies suggest 30–50% of practitioners). A distinct identity rather than indecision. The switch symbol (circling arrows) is worn as an identity marker. See also: Dom, Sub, Switch Dynamics.
Symphorophilia
Sexual arousal from witnessing or staging accidents or disasters. An extreme danger-based paraphilia — the fantasy of catastrophe as an erotic trigger. Almost exclusively expressed in fantasy rather than real-world staging.
T
Tease and Denial
A D/s and femdom practice in which a Dominant repeatedly brings a submissive close to orgasm before withdrawing stimulation — building frustration and reinforcing control. Practiced in scenes, across days or weeks via rules and chastity, or as a long-term dynamic. See also: Orgasm Control, Chastity, Ruined Orgasm.
Temperature Play
BDSM sensation play using temperature contrasts — typically hot wax and ice. The transition between heat and cold creates intense skin sensation and heightens awareness of the body. Ice is commonly combined with restraint; wax requires awareness of burn risk from temperature and height of drop. See also: Wax Play, Sensation Play.
Tentacle Erotica
A fantasy genre and fetish involving tentacles and tentacled creatures in erotic contexts. Rooted in Japanese hentai art and fiction. A significant and well-established niche within erotic fiction, artwork, and cosplay communities with crossover into the furry fandom.
Teratophilia
Sexual attraction to deformed or monstrous people — or in a more fantastical sense, to mythological or fictional monsters. Often expressed through roleplay, costume, and erotic fiction. Overlaps with furry fandom and creature kink communities.
Tickling Fetish / Knismolagnia
Sexual arousal from tickling or being tickled. One of the more widely recognised uncommon fetishes with a dedicated and active online community. Often overlaps with bondage and helplessness dynamics — the inability to escape the tickling is part of the appeal. See also: Gargalophilia.
Top
The person performing or delivering an activity in a BDSM scene — the active role. Not necessarily Dominant — a submissive can top in a specific scene without relinquishing their dynamic identity. Distinguished from Dominant in that top describes what someone is doing rather than who they are. See also: Bottom, Dom.
TPE (Total Power Exchange)
The most complete form of power surrender in BDSM — a dynamic in which the submissive or slave consensually gives the Dominant authority over most or all aspects of their life. TPE is a lifestyle commitment rather than just a kink. Requires extraordinary levels of trust, communication, and ongoing renegotiation to practice sustainably. See also: M/s, D/s, FLR.
Transformation Fetish
Sexual arousal from depictions of people transforming into other beings — animals, objects, mythological creatures, or other humans. Primarily expressed through fiction and artwork. Overlaps with the furry fandom, autozoophilia, and objectification dynamics.
Triskelion
The internationally recognised symbol of BDSM — three curved spokes within a circle. Designed in 1995, it represents the three pillars of BDSM (B/D, D/s, S/M), the values of Safe, Sane and Consensual, and the three roles of Top, Bottom, and Switch. Worn as jewellery and used as an identity marker across the global community. Read the full guide to the Triskelion symbol and its meaning. Browse FETBOMB BDSM jewellery.
U
Uniform Fetishism
Sexual arousal from uniforms — military, police, medical, religious, service industry, or other authority-signalling dress. One of the most common clothing fetishes globally. Can involve the power dynamics associated with the uniform's role as much as the garment itself.
Urolagnia / Water Sports
Sexual arousal from urine or urination. The clinical term for what the community calls water sports or piss play. Practiced across all genders, orientations, and sexualities. Particularly visible within gay male leather and kink communities. See also: Water Sports, Golden Shower, Human Urinal.
V
Vampirism
A kink involving the consumption or collection of blood, or the roleplay of vampire and prey dynamics. In consensual kink contexts, vampirism typically involves blood drawing through cutting or needle play, combined with feeding dynamics. Carries health risks relating to bloodborne disease transmission. See also: Blood Play, Hematolagnia.
Vanilla
Community term for sexual activities, relationships, or people that do not involve BDSM or kink. Used descriptively rather than dismissively within the community. "Vanilla sex" refers to conventional sexual activity without power exchange or BDSM elements.
Vorarephilia / Vore
Sexual arousal from the idea of being eaten by or eating another being — typically involving whole-body swallowing. Almost exclusively a fantasy fetish expressed through fiction, artwork, and roleplay rather than any real-world practice. A significant and active community particularly within furry fandom crossover spaces.
Voyeurism / Scopophilia
Sexual arousal from watching others engage in sexual activity — ideally without their knowledge in the non-consensual definition. In consensual kink contexts, voyeurism is practiced with full knowledge and consent of those being watched — at play parties, in arranged scenarios, or in relationships that incorporate being watched as part of the dynamic. Non-consensual voyeurism is illegal.
W
Wartenberg Wheel
A small spiked wheel originally designed as a medical nerve testing tool, now widely used in BDSM sensation play. Rolled across the skin it produces a range of sensations from light tingling to sharp discomfort depending on pressure. One of the most common and versatile sensation play tools.
Water Sports
Sexual activity involving urine — golden showers, human urinal dynamics, omorashi, and related practices. Practiced across all genders and orientations with particular visibility in gay male leather and kink communities. Ranked ninth in a 2017 UK Channel 4 sex survey of most common kinks. See also: Urolagnia, Golden Shower, Piss Play, Human Urinal.
Wax Play
BDSM temperature play using molten wax — typically dripped from a candle onto the skin from a controlled height. Creates a warm-to-hot sensation as the wax lands and cools quickly into a solid layer. Different candle types and heights produce different temperatures. Requires knowledge of safe wax temperatures and burn risk management. See also: Temperature Play, Sensation Play.
Wet and Messy Fetishism (WAM) / Sploshing
Sexual arousal from being covered in wet or messy substances — food, paint, mud, cream, slime, or similar materials. The tactile and visual experience of mess is the erotic focus. One of the most visually distinctive fetish communities with dedicated events and an active online presence. See also: Sploshing, Food Play.
Wetlook
Sexual arousal from clothing being wet — the visual and tactile effect of water on fabric, particularly tight or sheer garments. A distinct fetish community within the broader clothing and material fetish world.
X
Xenophilia
Sexual attraction to people of foreign cultures, ethnicities, or customs perceived as exotic or different from one's own. Distinct from racism — xenophilia in kink contexts typically involves the cultural or aesthetic fascination with difference rather than any hierarchy of value between cultures.
Y
Yellow Handkerchief
Within the hanky code, a yellow handkerchief signals interest in water sports. Worn in the left pocket — active interest; worn in the right pocket — receptive interest. Still recognised and used in leather bars, cruise clubs, and fetish events. See also: Hanky Code, Water Sports, Flagging.
Z
Zentai
A skintight full-body suit typically made of spandex, covering the entire body including the face. Worn in BDSM contexts for the sensation of being completely encased and the visual effect of anonymity and total coverage. Related to latex and rubber fetishism and sensory deprivation dynamics.
Zoophilia
Sexual attraction to non-human animals. Included here for definitional completeness — non-consensual acts with animals are illegal, constitute animal abuse, and are outside the scope of the consensual adult kink community entirely. This entry exists to define the term accurately, not to endorse or normalise the practice.
Zoosadism
Sexual arousal from inflicting pain on animals. Listed for definitional completeness only — this is illegal, constitutes animal abuse, and has no connection to consensual BDSM practice.
End of the complete glossary.
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