noun
S and M
ES and EM
S and M (noun) means Sexual activity involving the deliberate giving and receiving of pain, restraint or humiliation for erotic pleasure, practised between consenting partners. Example: “The couple were open about being into S and M.”
noun
1
informal Sexual activity involving the deliberate giving and receiving of pain, restraint or humiliation for erotic pleasure, practised between consenting partners.
"The couple were open about being into S and M."
"The club runs workshops on doing S and M safely."
adjective
1
informal Relating to or involving sadomasochistic sex.
"He collected S and M gear he kept in a locked case."
How to use S and M
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSex that involves consensual pain, control or humiliation.
When to use it
Sexual and informal but not obscene; it appears in journalism and clinical writing without euphemism.
Common pairings
into S and M
S and M club
S and M gear
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Etymology
An initialism of sadism and masochism, the two halves of sadomasochism.
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between S and M and BDSM?
S and M covers only the sadism-and-masochism side, meaning erotic pain and humiliation. BDSM is the broader umbrella, taking in bondage and discipline and dominance and submission as well. Every S and M practice sits inside BDSM, but plenty of BDSM involves no pain at all.
Is S and M the same as abuse?
No. The defining feature of S and M is informed consent, negotiated limits and usually a safe word that stops the scene immediately. Anything that continues without consent is abuse, not S and M.
How is S and M written?
You will see S and M, S&M, S/M and SM, all pronounced as the two letters. S&M is the most common written form.
What is the meaning of S and M?
"S and M" (noun) means sexual activity involving the deliberate giving and receiving of pain, restraint or humiliation for erotic pleasure, practised between consenting partners.
