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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”; 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.

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

Wangechi Mutu’s 2019 figure stalks and struts, a cultural hybrid encompassing an Afrofuturist queen, samurai warrior, eco-avenger, disco diva and dominatrix.

From The Guardian • Oct. 11, 2019

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