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dominatrix

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

noun

  • dominatrices,
    plural
  • dominatrixes
    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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Gender

See -trix.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of dominatrix

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

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

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

I have watched her in her various incarnations – gobby, rosary-draped urchin, corset-clad dominatrix, wayward cowgirl, hot yoga mom – with a mixture of curiosity, amusement and awe.

From The Guardian Aug. 15, 2018

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

A leathery dominatrix holding hands with a unicorn wished me, using the customary parlance, a happy Beltane.

From New York Times Aug. 6, 2015

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