dominatrix

American  

[dom-uh-ney-triks] / ˌdɒm əˈneɪ trɪks /

noun

dominatrices plural

1. a woman who plays the dominant role in a BDSM sexual encounter or relationship, often in a paid or professional capacity.

2. a woman who dominates, oppresses, or behaves in a dictatorial way.

---

dominatrix British  

/ ˌdɒmɪˈneɪtrɪks /

noun

1. a woman who is the dominant sexual partner in a sadomasochistic relationship

2. a dominant woman

---

Gender

See -trix.

Other Word Forms

Inflected Forms

noun

• dominatrices
  plural

Etymology

Origin of dominatrix

First recorded in 1555–65; Latin: literally, “female ruler, mistress”; see origin at dominate, -trix

Example Sentences

And Game Of Thrones star Maisie Williams plays "the face of punk", the iconoclastic model and actress Pamela Rooke, whose signature style - ripped fishnets, dominatrix heels and raccoon-like eye make-up - defined the scene.

From BBC • Jan. 11, 2021

Wangechi Mutu’s 2019 figure stalks and struts, a cultural hybrid encompassing an Afrofuturist queen, samurai warrior, eco-avenger, disco diva and dominatrix.

From The Guardian • Oct. 11, 2019

Strange Mercy was like sad housewife and the last one was like near future cult leader and this one is dominatrix at the mental institution.

From Time • Oct. 13, 2017

But Margaret Corvid, a U.K.-based writer and professional dominatrix, rejects the notion that women should bear the burden of stopping violence mostly perpetrated by men.

From MSNBC • Dec. 4, 2015

They meet or, rather, Violette somewhat stalks Simone, who a stern, appealing Sandrine Kiberlain plays as a cross between a dominatrix and a mother superior.

From New York Times • Jun. 12, 2014