dominatrix: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Low/C2Formal/Specialized
Quick answer
What does “dominatrix” mean?
A woman who takes the dominant role in sadomasochistic sexual practices.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A woman who takes the dominant role in sadomasochistic sexual practices.
A woman who displays a powerful, controlling, or domineering character in any context; by extension, a woman who dominates others.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical or grammatical differences. The cultural concept and its linguistic usage are consistent.
Connotations
Identical connotations in both varieties. It carries strong associations with BDSM, power, and sexual dominance.
Frequency
Similar low frequency in both varieties, primarily found in specialized, literary, journalistic, or metaphorical contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “dominatrix” in a Sentence
[dominatrix] of [domain/group][adjective] dominatrixVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “dominatrix” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - The verb form is 'dominate'.
American English
- N/A - The verb form is 'dominate'.
adverb
British English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form.
American English
- N/A - No standard adverbial form.
adjective
British English
- She adopted a dominatrix-like attitude during the negotiations.
American English
- The film featured a dominatrix-style costume.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Metaphorically, to describe an overly authoritarian female executive. 'Her management style earned her a reputation as the boardroom dominatrix.'
Academic
Used in gender studies, sociology, or cultural studies discussing power dynamics, sexuality, or media representations.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. If used, it is typically in a joking or hyperbolic manner to describe a bossy or controlling woman.
Technical
Primary technical usage is within the lexicon of BDSM communities and related academic or clinical literature.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “dominatrix”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “dominatrix”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “dominatrix”
- Using it as a general synonym for a confident or successful woman (often offensive).
- Incorrect plural: 'dominatrixes' is acceptable, but 'dominatrixes' or 'dominatrices' are also used.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Rarely. Outside consensual BDSM contexts, it is usually pejorative or humorous, implying harsh, cruel, or sexually intimidating control. It is not a synonym for a strong leader.
The male equivalent is typically called a 'Dominant' or 'Dom' (short for dominant male) in BDSM contexts. The term 'dominantor' is not standard.
It is a formal, Latinate word used for a specific concept. Its usage in everyday conversation is marked and likely intentional for stylistic or metaphorical effect.
Both 'dominatrixes' and the more Latinate 'dominatrices' (/dəˈmɪn.ə.trɪ.siːz/) are accepted, though 'dominatrixes' is more common in modern English.
A woman who takes the dominant role in sadomasochistic sexual practices.
Dominatrix: in British English it is pronounced /ˌdɒm.ɪˈneɪ.trɪks/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌdɑː.mɪˈneɪ.trɪks/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Someone] plays the dominatrix”
- “a dominatrix in the boardroom”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DOMINATE + -TRIX (a feminine suffix, like in 'aviatrix'). A woman who dominates.
Conceptual Metaphor
POWER IS PHYSICAL DOMINANCE; AUTHORITY IS SEXUAL CONTROL.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the term 'dominatrix' most technically accurate?