noun
Uncommon
dom
dom
Dom (noun) means Informal: the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or sexual dynamic. Example: “They discussed boundaries before deciding who would be the dom.”
noun
1
Informal: the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or sexual dynamic.
"They discussed boundaries before deciding who would be the dom."
2
A title of respect historically given to certain clergy and to nobility in Portugal and Brazil.
"The monk was addressed as Dom Anselmo."
"The abbot was addressed as Dom by the younger monks."
"In the novel, a Portuguese nobleman is introduced as Dom Rodrigo."
How to use dom
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a BDSM term for the dominant partner, or a formal title used for certain clergy and nobility.
When to use it
The BDSM sense is informal slang; the honorific sense is formal and mostly historical.
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Word forms
- Plural
- doms, dons
- Third person singular
- doms
- Past tense
- dommed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
They discussed boundaries before deciding who would be the _____.
Etymology
Shortened from "dominant" in its slang sense; the honorific sense comes from Latin dominus, "lord" or "master."
Antonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between "Dom" and "Don" as titles of respect?
"Dom" is a title of respect historically given to certain clergy and to nobility in Portugal and Brazil, while "Don" is the equivalent traditional title of respect used in Spain and Italy. Both function similarly, preceding a person's first name to signal honor or rank.
Is "dom" capitalized when used as a title of respect?
Yes, when "Dom" is used as a formal title before a name, such as for clergy or nobility in Portugal and Brazil, it is capitalized like other titles such as "Mr." or "Sir."
Is "dom" a formal or informal word?
It depends on the sense: as a historical title for clergy and nobility, "dom" is formal. In its other, unrelated use as informal slang, it functions as a casual, colloquial term rather than a formal one.
What is the meaning of dom?
"dom" (noun) means informal: the dominant partner in a BDSM relationship or sexual dynamic.
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