Understand AdultFriendFinder’s 15 hookup slang terms to know before navigating profiles and conversations

Roles and relationship styles

ENM means ethical non-monogamy, also known as an open relationship. Cuckolding refers to consensual infidelity in which someone takes pleasure in a partner having sex with another person, a practice enjoyed in some non-monogamous relationships.

Dom or Domme refers to the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship; master and mistress are often used as alternatives. A Little is the submissive partner, while a Switch enjoys being dominant or submissive at different times.

DD/LG describes a daddy-dom, little-girl dynamic with a male dominant partner and female submissive partner. MD/LB describes a mommy-domme, little-boy dynamic with a female dominant partner and male submissive partner.

Practices and preferences

Aftercare means cuddling or words of affirmation following a BDSM scenario. Edging involves bringing oneself close to orgasm without reaching it, while orgasm control is a scenario where one partner voluntarily lets another control their climax.

Shibari is Japanese decorative rope bondage, and the glossary says it generally takes considerable experience to carry out properly. Vanilla is a non-pejorative description of a preference for sexual practices that are not kinky.

Bate buds are two or more people who enjoy masturbating to similar content and exchange recommendations. CD stands for cross-dressing, usually describing someone who enjoys wearing clothing associated with another gender.

Boundaries matter

Limits, also called hard limits, are a person’s boundaries. The glossary emphasizes that respecting them is central to kink culture and should also apply during online encounters. Together, the terms cover different interests and relationship dynamics. Their meanings can help people interpret language used on AdultFriendFinder, while boundaries remain important in any interaction.