D/S (Dating Term)

What Does D/S Mean?

The Growing Glossary of Dating Slang

If you're new to online dating, then I'm afraid there is whole new language with well over 250 terms for you to learn.

Particularly since the rise of the iKids, people have been far more open about their sexual preferences and desires, and this has generated a long glossary of new dating terms. Many sexual preferences are still abbreviated on dating sites, presumably with the idea that those who do not understand the term do not need to know it. That thinking does not help newcomers though. Here is the term you're looking for:

D/S or D/s means "Dominance and Submission."

More Detail...

It is commonly written with an uppercase 'D' and a lowercase 's' to signify Dominant and submissive. D/s is one element of BDSM (Bondage and Discipline, Dominance and Submission, and Sadomasochism). D/s contrasts with sadomasochism, as D/s partners tend to enjoy the power aspect rather than the physical sensations (i.e., the 'pains') associated with sadomasochism. In D/s relationships, one partner usually dominates the other, but the power is sometimes 'switched' too. In other words, a person can identify as dominant, submissive (sub), or switch. It is common for couples not be D/s all the time. Such occasions often involve role playing power-based games, such as 'Doctors and Nurses,' 'Teacher and Student,' or 'Guard and Prisoner.'

Check out our complete list of dating terms.

Image for D/S

When I write D/S, I mean this:

Dominance and Submission

Summary of Key Points

"Dominance and Submission" is the most common meaning for D/S in a text or on a messaging app (particularly a dating site).

D/S
Definition:	Dominance and Submission
Type:	Abbreviation
Guessability:	3: Guessable
Typical Users:	Adults

Examples of D/S in Sentences

Here is an example of D/s used online:

• Male, 29, D/s, Employed, Clean.

Example of D/S Used in a Text

You might also like...