Consider this the ultimate glossary to expand your sexual vocabulary.

The world of sex is rich, diverse, and often accompanied by terms that can be confusing, intriguing, or just downright fun to learn. Whether you're exploring new ideas or simply want to brush up on your knowledge, here are 70 sex terms you should know:

A

1. Aftercare
The emotional and physical care provided to partners after a sexual experience, often associated with BDSM, to ensure everyone feels supported.

2. Asexual
Someone who experiences little to no sexual attraction to others.

3. Anal Play
Any sexual activity involving the anus, such as fingering, rimming, or penetration.

4. Aphrodisiac
A substance believed to increase sexual desire (e.g., chocolate, oysters).

B

5. BDSM
An umbrella term for activities involving bondage, discipline, dominance, submission, and sadomasochism.

6. Blindfolding
A sensory play activity where one partner’s vision is restricted to heighten other senses.

7. Body Worship
Adoring and focusing on a partner’s body, often as part of foreplay or fetish play.

8. Breeding Kink
A fetish involving fantasies of impregnation or reproduction.

C

9. Consent
Freely given, informed, reversible, and enthusiastic agreement to participate in sexual activity.

10. Cuckolding
A consensual fetish where one partner derives pleasure from watching or knowing their partner engages in sex with someone else.

11. Cumshot
The act of ejaculation, often used in pornographic terminology.

12. Cunnilingus
Oral sex performed on a vulva.

D

13. Dom/Sub (Dominant/Submissive)
A relationship dynamic where one partner exercises control and the other relinquishes it, often seen in BDSM.

14. Dirty Talk
Erotic and explicit verbal expressions used to arouse a partner.

15. Dildo
A sex toy designed for penetration.

16. Double Penetration
Simultaneous penetration of two orifices, typically involving two partners or toys.

E

17. Edging
The practice of delaying orgasm to heighten eventual release.

18. Erogenous Zones
Areas of the body that are especially sensitive to stimulation.

19. Exhibitionism
Arousal from exposing oneself sexually, often consensually or in controlled settings.

20. Ethical Non-Monogamy
Relationships where partners consensually agree to have multiple sexual or romantic partners.

F

21. Fetish
A strong sexual fascination or preference for specific objects, scenarios, or body parts.

22. Fisting
Inserting a hand into the vagina or anus during sexual play.

23. Foreplay
Intimate activities leading up to sex, often involving kissing, touching, or oral sex.

24. Friction Burn
Irritation caused by intense or prolonged sexual activity without adequate lubrication.

G

25. G-Spot
A sensitive area located inside the vagina, believed to contribute to heightened sexual pleasure.

26. Group Sex
Sexual activities involving more than two participants.

27. Glory Hole
A partition with a hole allowing for anonymous sexual activity, often found in adult venues.

28. Golden Shower
The act of urinating on a partner consensually, often as part of fetish play.

H

29. Handjob
Manual stimulation of a partner’s genitals.

30. Hard Limits
Activities that are off-limits in sexual or BDSM play, discussed and agreed upon beforehand.

31. Hookup
A casual sexual encounter without romantic commitment.

32. Hotwifing
A consensual dynamic where one partner enjoys their spouse being sexually active with others.

I

33. Impact Play
A BDSM activity involving spanking, flogging, or similar forms of consensual striking.

34. Intimacy
The emotional and physical closeness shared between partners.

35. Intersex
An individual born with a combination of male and female biological characteristics.

36. Insertion Play
The use of toys, fingers, or objects for penetration.

J

37. Jerk Off
Slang for masturbation, typically referring to males.

38. Jerk Off Instruction (JOI)
A form of erotic content where one person gives verbal instructions on how to masturbate.

K

39. Kegels
Pelvic floor exercises that can enhance sexual sensation and control.

40. Kink
Any sexual preference or behavior that falls outside of traditional norms.

41. Knife Play
A BDSM practice involving the safe and consensual use of knives for sensation.

L

42. Lingerie
Sexy or provocative underwear often worn to enhance attraction.

43. Libido
Sexual desire or drive.

44. Lube
Short for lubricant, used to reduce friction during sex.

45. Love Bite
A bruise left on the skin from sucking or biting, also known as a hickey.

M

46. Masturbation
Self-stimulation of one’s genitals for sexual pleasure.

47. Missionary Position
A common sexual position where one partner is on top, facing the other.

48. Mutual Masturbation
Two partners masturbating together, often as a form of intimacy.

49. Menage à Trois
A threesome involving three participants.

N

50. Nipple Play
The stimulation of nipples for sexual pleasure.

51. Non-Binary
A gender identity outside the male/female binary.

52. Nuru Massage
An erotic massage involving a slippery gel applied to the bodies of both participants.

O

53. Orgasm
The climax of sexual stimulation, often accompanied by physical and emotional release.

54. Oral Sex
The use of the mouth, lips, and tongue to stimulate a partner’s genitals.

55. Open Relationship
A relationship where partners consensually engage in sexual activity with others.

P

56. Pegging
When a woman uses a strap-on dildo to penetrate her male partner anally.

57. Polyamory
The practice of having multiple consensual romantic or sexual relationships.

58. Primal Play
A kink involving animalistic behavior, such as growling or biting.

59. Pubic Hair Play
The incorporation of pubic hair into sexual activity or fetishes.

Q

60. Queer
An umbrella term for non-heteronormative sexual orientations and gender identities.

R

61. Roleplay
Engaging in fictional scenarios to enhance sexual experiences.

62. Rimming
The act of licking or stimulating the anus with the tongue.

S

63. Safe Word
A pre-agreed word or phrase used to pause or stop sexual activity.

64. Sapiosexual
Attraction to intelligence as a primary form of sexual arousal.

T

65. Tantra
An ancient practice focusing on spiritual and sensual connection.

66. Threesome
Sexual activity involving three participants.

U

67. Urolagnia
A fetish involving urine.

V

68. Voyeurism
The act of deriving pleasure from watching others engage in sexual activity.

W

69. Wet Play
Sexual activities involving water or fluids, such as shower sex.

Z

70. Zebra Fetish
A kink involving black-and-white themes or accessories, often metaphorical for mixed-race fantasies.

Final Thoughts

Understanding sexual terms empowers you to explore your desires, communicate effectively, and engage in activities that align with your comfort zone.