Dominant

In contemporary kink a Dominant is a person who consensually receives power, authority, or control in a relationship, scene, or activity. A new Dominant may be referred to as a Novice Dom. In a Dominant/submissive (D/s) dynamic, a Dominant may be referred to as the "D-type." ### Types of Dominants Being a Dominant isn't one-size-fits-all. Here are a few of the more common types of Dominants you are likely to run into (but there are A LOT more!) - Soft Dominant: A Dominant with a focus on gentle guidance, emotional support, and a more empathetic, understanding approach to power exchange. - Hard Dominant: A dominant with a focus on strict guidance and control and a less empathetic understanding approach to power exchange. - Pleasure Dominant: A type of Dominant who uses pleasure as their tool of domination, rather than control, pain, or discipline. - Mommy/Daddy Dominant: A dominant partner who provides a nurturing, protective relationship based on care, structure, and discipline to their submissive partner. - Primal Dominant: A dominant role in primal play that focuses on instinct, physical presence, and raw, animal-like energy. - FinDom: A Dominant (usually a woman or femme) who engages in power exchange centered around money. - FemDom: A female (or femme-identifying) Dominant. Often involves a conscious reversal or reworking of traditional gender roles. - Brat Tamer: A Dominant in a BDSM dynamic whose role is to "tame" a brat into a more submissive version of themselves. ### Core BDSM In core (or traditional) BDSM the role of a Dominant is more specific. The difference between Dominant and submissive (D/s) and Master and slave (M/s) dynamics is the extent of the Power Exchange. In a core BDSM D/s relationship consent is considered to be irrevocable as it is given to the negotiated dynamic rather than to individual actions. If consent is revoked or changed then the dynamic is considered broken - similar to a marriage ending in divorce. A Dom who violates a hard limit may be denied the privilege of remaining in their community due to them not upholding the values and traditions demanded of them. ### Abbreviations Dom can be used of someone of any gender but is most commonly used by male-identifying gender. Domme is most commonly used by female identifying Dominants. Domx can be used for non-binary people. ### Related Roles - Taskmaster - Master/Mistress - Trainer - Disciplinarian - ThemDom - Domme - FemDom