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dominatrix

American  
[dom-uh-nay-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

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

Mabel Simmons — known as Madea to her extended family, and to millions of Tyler Perry devotees — is a dominatrix of tough love.

From Time ● Apr. 24, 2011

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