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dominatrix

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

noun

plural

dominatrices

  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.

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.

Enter the Dominatrix is a fun diversion and it’s nice to see your old friends the Saints again.

From Forbes • Oct. 23, 2013

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.