Explore our adult lifestyle dictionary for definitions of swinger terms, hotwife and cuckold slang, lifestyle acronyms, sexual terminology, kinks, relationship styles, and more. This glossary is designed for swingers, couples, singles, and curious adults learning about the lifestyle.

Some terms may have different meanings between individuals and communities. Always communicate clearly, establish consent, discuss boundaries, and ask someone what a term means to them when its meaning is uncertain.

Numbered Terms

69
A sexual position in which two partners perform oral sex on each other simultaneously. The position resembles the number 69.
420 Friendly
Indicates that a person accepts or participates in marijuana use.

A

AC/DC
An older slang term for a person who participates in sexual activity with people of the same sex and the opposite sex. See bisexual.
Adult
A term commonly used to describe sexually explicit, erotic, or pornographic material intended only for adults.
All Cultures
Older personal-ad terminology indicating that a person or couple is interested in a broad range of fetishes or sexual activities. See culture.
American Culture
An older coded term referring to the missionary sexual position, generally with the man on top.
Anal Sex
Sexual activity involving penetration of the anus. See Greek culture.
Analingus
Oral stimulation of the anus using the lips or tongue. Also called anilingus or rimming.
Androgynous
Having an appearance or style that combines characteristics traditionally associated with masculinity and femininity. It does not necessarily indicate a person’s gender identity or sexual orientation.
Animal Training
An older euphemism for sexual activity involving animals. Such activity is generally described as bestiality, is abusive to animals, and is illegal in many jurisdictions.
Arts
An older euphemism for sexual fetishes or specialized sexual interests. See culture.

B

Back Scuttle
An older slang term for anal intercourse.
Bareback
Having vaginal or anal intercourse without using a condom or other barrier protection.
B&D or B/D
Bondage and discipline. It may involve consensual restraint, rules, punishment, or power exchange between participating adults. See bondage, discipline, and BDSM.
BBW
Big Beautiful Woman. A positive term commonly used to describe an attractive plus-size woman.
BBC
Big Black Cock. An explicit acronym commonly used in adult personals and pornography.
BLC
Big Latin Cock. An explicit acronym sometimes used in adult personals and pornography.
BWC
Big White Cock. An explicit acronym sometimes used in adult personals and pornography.
BDSM
An umbrella term that can include bondage and discipline, dominance and submission, and sadism and masochism. BDSM activities commonly involve consensual power exchange, restraint, sensation, role-play, or control.
Bestiality
Sexual activity involving a person and an animal. Animals cannot provide informed consent, and such activity is illegal in many jurisdictions. See animal training.
Bisexual
A person who experiences romantic or sexual attraction to more than one gender.
Bi-Curious
A person who is curious about or interested in exploring romantic or sexual experiences with someone of the same gender or another gender.
Bizarre
An older and subjective term used to describe sexual interests considered unusual or unconventional.
Bondage
A consensual BDSM activity in which restraints such as rope, cuffs, straps, cloth, or chains are used to restrict a participating partner’s movement.
Box Munching
Slang for performing oral sex on a woman.
Bukkake
A sexual act in which one or more men ejaculate onto another person.
Bush
Slang for pubic hair, especially a woman’s pubic hair.

C

Camel Toe
Slang for the visible outline of the vulva through tight-fitting clothing.
Can Entertain
Personal-ad terminology indicating that a person or couple is willing and able to host others at their home.
Can Travel
Personal-ad terminology indicating that a person or couple is willing to travel to meet or visit others.
Caning
A consensual impact-play activity involving the use of a cane, commonly made from rattan, bamboo, or another flexible material.
Cheating
Romantic or sexual activity that violates the rules or agreements of a relationship, generally without the other partner’s knowledge or consent.
Clean
A term sometimes used in adult profiles to describe hygiene or a person’s perceived STI status. The term can be stigmatizing and should not replace current testing, honest disclosure, and safer-sex discussions.
Closed Door
A swinging arrangement in which participating partners use separate rooms, providing more privacy than same-room play.
Closet Swinger
A person who keeps their participation in the swinging lifestyle private or hidden from others. See discreet.
Creampie
A slang term for ejaculation inside a partner’s vagina or anus without a condom.
Cougar
A slang term for an older woman who dates or pursues younger adults.
Couple
Two people who participate together as partners. In the lifestyle, couples may be married, dating, cohabiting, committed, or otherwise partnered, and may have any combination of genders or sexual orientations.
Crossdresser
A person who wears clothing or accessories traditionally associated with another gender. Crossdressing may be done for personal expression, comfort, performance, or sexual and non-sexual reasons.
Cuckold
A husband or male partner whose wife or partner has sexual experiences with other people. In consensual cuckold relationships, the husband may know about, watch, encourage, or hear about the encounters. Because the term is used differently by different people, participants should clearly discuss its meaning and their boundaries.
Culture
An older euphemism used in some adult personals for a fetish, sexual interest, or type of sexual activity.
Cum Lover
A person who enjoys semen or sexual activities involving semen.
Cunnilingus
Oral stimulation of the vulva or clitoris using the lips or tongue. See French culture.

D

Deep Throat
A form of fellatio in which a penis is taken deeply into the mouth and throat.
D/D Free
Drug and disease free. An older personal-ad abbreviation used to claim that someone does not use recreational drugs and believes they do not have a sexually transmitted infection. Such claims should not replace current testing and direct communication.
Dildo
A sex toy shaped for penetration of the vagina, anus, or mouth. Dildos may be made from silicone, rubber, glass, metal, plastic, or other materials.
Director
The owner or principal operator of a swing club. Someone responsible for operating an event or club on the director’s behalf may be called a manager.
Discipline
A consensual BDSM practice in which one partner establishes rules or administers agreed-upon correction or punishment within negotiated boundaries.
Discreet or Discretion
A request for privacy and caution so that a person’s lifestyle activity, messages, identity, or personal information is not revealed to children, relatives, employers, or other unintended people.
Docile
An older term describing someone who is compliant, passive, or willing to take a submissive role. See submissive.
Dogging
A British term for engaging in or watching sexual activity in a public or semi-public location, often a secluded parking area. Public sexual activity may violate local laws and can expose nonconsenting people to sexual conduct.
Domestic Training
A consensual dominance-and-submission arrangement involving household duties, service, rules, obedience, or humiliation.
Double Penetration
Simultaneous penetration of two body openings. The term commonly refers to vaginal and anal penetration but may also include oral penetration.
DP
An abbreviation for double penetration.
Dominant
A person who takes an agreed-upon position of control, authority, or direction over a consenting submissive partner.

E

English Culture
An older coded term referring to sexual stimulation involving spanking or caning.
Entertain
To host another person or couple at one’s home. See can entertain.
European-Style Club
A club where nudity may be required or expected, sometimes beginning at a specified time during the event.
Exhibitionist
A person who experiences arousal or enjoyment from consensually displaying their body or being watched by others.

F

Fellatio
Oral stimulation of the penis using the mouth, lips, or tongue.
Fetish
A strong sexual interest in a particular object, body part, material, activity, sensation, or situation.
FFM or FMF
A threesome involving two women and one man. The letter order may sometimes indicate the arrangement or interaction between participants.
Fisting
A sexual activity involving the gradual insertion of a hand into the vagina or anus.
Flagellation
Consensual sexual stimulation involving whipping, flogging, or similar forms of impact play.
French Culture
An older coded term for oral-genital sexual activity. See fellatio and cunnilingus.
Full Swap
A swinging arrangement in which couples exchange partners and intercourse with the other partner is permitted. See soft swap.
Fun and Games
A euphemism for sexual activity or erotic play.

G

Gangbang
A sexual encounter in which one person participates sexually with multiple partners, either sequentially or at the same time.
Gay
A person who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same gender. The term is most commonly associated with men but may be used more broadly.
GBM
Gay Black Male.
Generous
A term used in some personal ads to suggest that gifts, money, or financial support may be offered in connection with a meeting or relationship.
Glory Hole
An opening in a wall or partition through which anonymous or semi-anonymous sexual activity may occur.
Golden Shower
A sexual activity involving urination on another consenting adult. See watersports.
Greek Culture
An older coded term for anal intercourse.
Group Room
A room at a lifestyle club or event designated for sexual activity involving multiple people. It may contain mattresses, padded platforms, or other furnishings. See matroom.
Group Sex
Consensual sexual activity involving three or more adults.
GWM
Gay White Male.

H

Hard Core
A swing party or encounter where explicit sexual activity is expected or strongly emphasized.
Hard Swinging
An older term for swinging that includes intercourse or other explicit sexual activity with additional partners. See hard core and full swap.
Head
Slang for oral sex. “Giving head” may refer to fellatio or cunnilingus.
Heterosexual
A person who is romantically or sexually attracted primarily to people of another gender.
Homosexual
A person who is romantically or sexually attracted to people of the same gender. Gay or lesbian is generally preferred in everyday conversation.
Horny
Sexually aroused or strongly interested in sexual activity.
Hung
Slang describing a man believed to have a large penis.
HWP
Height-weight proportionate. A subjective personal-ad term describing someone who considers their weight proportionate to their height.

I

Indoor
An older coded term used in personal ads to indicate sexual or swinging activity.
Indoor Sports
An older euphemism for sexual activity. See indoor.
Interested in Friendship
Indicates that a person or couple wants social, emotional, or recreational interaction in addition to sexual activity.
IR
Interracial.
IRL
In real life. Used to distinguish an in-person meeting or identity from online communication.
ISO
In search of. Commonly used in personal ads to describe the type of person, couple, or experience someone is seeking.

L

LGBTQ
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer or questioning. Additional letters or a plus sign may be included to represent other sexual orientations and gender identities.
Leather
A fetish or subculture involving the appearance, smell, feel, or wearing of leather clothing and accessories, often associated with BDSM.
Lesbian
A woman who is romantically or sexually attracted to women.
LTR
Long-term relationship.

M

M
Male.
Marital Aids
An older term for sex toys and devices used for solo or partnered sexual pleasure, including dildos and vibrators.
Masochism
Sexual or emotional enjoyment derived from consensually receiving pain, restraint, humiliation, or control.
Master/Slave
A consensual power-exchange relationship in which one adult takes a master or controlling role and another takes a slave or submissive role. See BDSM, dominance, and submission.
Matroom or Mattress Room
A room at a lifestyle club or event designated for group sexual activity and commonly furnished with mattresses or padded surfaces. See group room.
MBC
Married Black Couple.
MBiC
Married Bisexual Couple.
Meet for Pleasure
Personal-ad terminology indicating an interest in meeting primarily for sexual activity rather than developing a social or emotional relationship.
Ménage à Trois
A French term for an intimate or sexual arrangement involving three people. See threesome and triad.
MFM or MMF
A threesome involving two men and one woman. The letter order may sometimes indicate the arrangement or interaction between participants.
MILF
An explicit acronym meaning “Mom I’d Like to Fuck,” used to describe an attractive mother or mature woman.
Moresomes
A playful term for sexual encounters involving more than three people.

N

Newcomers
People who are new to swinging, lifestyle events, or other forms of consensual non-monogamy.
Nonsmoker
A person who does not smoke. In a personal ad, the term may indicate that the person is seeking other nonsmokers.

O

Off-Premise
A club or event where sexual activity is not permitted at the venue. Attendees meet socially and make their own private arrangements elsewhere.
On-Premise
A lifestyle club or event where consensual sexual activity is allowed in designated private or shared areas.
Open Door
A swinging arrangement in which partners remain in the same room or allow others to observe. See open swinging.
Open Relationship
A consensually non-monogamous relationship in which partners agree that one or both may have romantic or sexual experiences with other people. The specific rules vary by relationship.
Open Swinging
A swinging arrangement in which couples play in the same room or in an area where the participants can see one another.
Oral-Genital
Sexual stimulation of the genitals using the mouth, lips, or tongue. See fellatio, cunnilingus, and head.
Orgy
A group sexual encounter involving several consenting adults.

P

Party
A private or organized gathering where swingers or other lifestyle participants meet socially and may engage in consensual sexual activity.
Party Clothes
Clothing selected for a lifestyle event, such as lingerie, robes, wraps, fetish wear, or outfits that can be removed easily.
Party House
An older term, especially in the western United States, for a private location or non-membership club that regularly hosts on-premise lifestyle parties.
Passive
A person who takes a quiet, receptive, or submissive role during an encounter. The intended meaning should be discussed because passivity does not remove the need for active consent.
Pearl Necklace
Slang for ejaculation onto a person’s chest or neck.
Photo
Personal-ad terminology indicating an interest in exchanging nude or sexually explicit photographs.
Photography
An interest in creating or exchanging nude or sexually explicit photographs or videos. Everyone depicted must be an adult and must knowingly consent to the creation and sharing of the content.
Playdar
A playful term for an intuitive feeling that another person or couple may also be involved in the swinging lifestyle.
Polyamory
A form of consensual non-monogamy involving the possibility of multiple romantic or emotionally intimate relationships with the knowledge and agreement of everyone involved.
Pro
Professional. In adult personals, it may refer to a sex worker, escort, or another person offering services for payment.

Q

Queef
The release of trapped air from the vagina, sometimes producing a sound.
Queen of Spades
A racially charged symbol or label used by some white women to express a strong sexual preference for Black men. It may appear on jewelry, clothing, or tattoos. Meanings vary, and some people consider the term fetishizing or offensive.

R

Recreational Swinger
A person who participates in swinging primarily for recreation and sexual enjoyment rather than to develop long-term romantic or emotional relationships.
Restraint
A consensual bondage activity involving the restriction of a partner’s movement using cuffs, rope, straps, clothing, furniture, or another agreed-upon method.
Roman
An older coded term for group sex, orgies, or the sexual party scene. See Roman culture.
Roman Culture
An older euphemism for orgies or group sexual activity.
Rubber
Slang for a condom. The term can also refer to a fetish involving the appearance, smell, or feel of rubber or latex clothing.

S

Safe
An older personal-ad term sometimes used to indicate that a person cannot conceive or cause pregnancy because of infertility, sterilization, or another reason. It should not be interpreted as proof that sexual activity is free of STI or pregnancy risk.
S.A.S.E.
Self-addressed stamped envelope, a term historically used in printed personal advertisements and correspondence.
SBF
Single Black Female.
SBiF
Single Bisexual Female.
SBM
Single Black Male.
SGL
Single. See single.
S&M or S/M
Sadism and masochism. It refers to consensual activities involving the giving or receiving of pain, control, or humiliation. See BDSM and masochism.
Scat
A sexual interest or activity involving feces or defecation.
Single
A lifestyle participant who attends or participates without a partner. In this context, the term does not necessarily describe the person’s legal marital status.
Shemale
A sexualized term historically used in pornography for transgender women. The term is widely considered offensive and should generally be avoided when referring to a person.
Slut Wife
A sexualized label for a married woman who consensually has sex with other people for her own enjoyment, her spouse’s enjoyment, or both. Some participants use the term positively, while others consider it degrading.
Snowballing
A sexual activity in which semen is transferred from one person’s mouth to another person’s mouth.
Snowblowing
A slang term for kissing a partner while semen remains in the mouth after ejaculation.
Social
A lifestyle gathering focused on meeting and socializing rather than on-site sexual activity. Attendees may make private arrangements after the event.
Social Swing Club
A lifestyle club that organizes social activities and may also host on-premise parties, educational events, trips, or other member activities. Membership or event fees may apply.
Sodomy
An older legal or religious term historically used for anal sex, oral sex, or other sexual activities that were classified as non-procreative.
Soft Swingers
Couples who participate in lifestyle activities but reserve intercourse for their primary partners.
Soft Swap
A swinging arrangement in which couples exchange partners for agreed-upon sexual activities other than intercourse. The exact boundaries vary between couples. See full swap.
Soft Swinging
Lifestyle activity that may include same-room sex, kissing, touching, oral sex, watching, or being watched but does not include intercourse with another partner.
Spill My T
Slang for having one’s private identity, personal information, or secret revealed by someone else. It may also be written as “spill my tea.”
Squirt
The release of fluid through the urethra during sexual arousal or orgasm, sometimes called female ejaculation.
SRS
Same-room sex. See soft swinging.
SSW
Submissive slut wife.
STD
Sexually transmitted disease. The term STI, meaning sexually transmitted infection, is now commonly used because an infection may be present without symptoms or diagnosed disease.
STR or STR8
Abbreviations for straight or heterosexual.
Straight
Commonly means heterosexual. In some older personal ads, it may also mean drug-free or may describe someone who does not participate in swinging.
Submissive
A person who consensually gives an agreed-upon level of control or authority to a dominant partner.
Swallow
Slang for swallowing semen following ejaculation in the mouth.
Swapping
A lifestyle activity in which couples consensually exchange partners for sexual interaction. See soft swap and full swap.
Swedish Culture
An older coded term for sexual stimulation using the hands, including erotic massage.
SWF
Single White Female.
SWM
Single White Male.
Swinger
An adult who participates in consensual sexual or social experiences with people outside their primary relationship, usually with the knowledge and agreement of everyone involved. Swingers may be partnered or single.
Swinging
A form of consensual non-monogamy in which adults participate in recreational sexual or social experiences with other people, commonly as couples and with the knowledge and agreement of all partners.
Swinging Lifestyle
A social and sexual lifestyle in which swinging is a recurring part of a person’s or couple’s recreation, relationships, friendships, travel, or social activities.
Swinging Marriage
A marriage in which both spouses knowingly and consensually participate in swinging.

T

Take One for the Team
To willingly make a sacrifice or do something undesirable for the perceived benefit of one’s partner, friends, or group.
TAN
Tested antibody negative, an outdated abbreviation indicating a negative HIV antibody test. A negative result applies only to the type and timing of the test performed and should not be treated as permanent proof of status.
Tea Bagging
A sexual act involving placing or moving the testicles on a partner’s face or in their mouth.
Threesome
A sexual encounter involving three consenting adults. See ménage à trois.
Ticket
An older and often disrespectful term for a person, usually a woman, brought to a couples-only lifestyle event primarily so that another person can gain admission.
Toss a Salad
Slang for oral stimulation of the anus. See analingus.
Toys
Sexual aids or devices used for pleasure, such as vibrators, dildos, plugs, rings, or restraints.
Transgender
A person whose gender identity differs from the sex they were assigned at birth. Gender identity is separate from sexual orientation.
Transphile
An uncommon term describing a person who is attracted to transgender people or transgender women. Some people may consider the term objectifying or fetishizing.
Transphilia
An uncommon term referring to attraction to transgender people. The term may be viewed as fetishizing depending on how it is used.
Transsexual
An older term for a transgender person who has pursued or intends to pursue medical transition. Some individuals still use the term for themselves, but transgender is generally preferred unless a person identifies otherwise.
Transvestite
An older term for a person who wears clothing traditionally associated with another gender. Crossdresser is generally considered a more neutral term.
Travel
Personal-ad terminology indicating a willingness to travel to meet another person or couple. See can travel.
Triad
An ongoing romantic, emotional, or sexual relationship involving three people. A triad is not necessarily the same as a one-time threesome.
Triolism
A term describing sexual activity or interest involving three people. In personal ads, it is sometimes used to indicate an interest in threesomes.
Tubal Ligation
A surgical sterilization procedure in which the fallopian tubes are cut, blocked, sealed, or removed to prevent pregnancy.

U

Unicorn
A single person, most commonly a bisexual woman, who is interested in joining an established couple for dating or sexual activity. The name reflects the idea that finding a compatible person for both partners can be rare.
Utopian Swinger
An older term for someone who treats swinging as a broad lifestyle connected to ideals about openness, community, personal freedom, and human relationships.

V

Vanilla
A term used to describe people, relationships, or sexual activities considered conventional, non-kinky, or outside the swinging lifestyle.
Vasectomy
A surgical sterilization procedure in which the vas deferens are cut, blocked, or sealed to prevent sperm from entering semen.
Versatile
A person who is comfortable taking more than one sexual or relationship role. The precise meaning varies by community and does not automatically mean bisexual.
Vibrator
A powered sex toy that produces vibration for external or internal stimulation. Vibrators may be used alone or with a partner by people of any gender.
Voluptuous
A descriptive term for someone with a full, curvy, or rounded body shape.
Voyeur
A person who enjoys consensually watching other adults undress or engage in sexual activity.
Voyeurism
Sexual arousal or enjoyment from watching others undress or engage in sexual activity. In lifestyle settings, everyone being observed should know about and consent to being watched.
VWE
Very well endowed.

W

Watersports
A sexual interest or activity involving urine. See golden shower.
Way-Outs or Weirdos
Outdated and potentially insulting labels for people whose sexual interests are considered unusual, unconventional, or highly specialized.

Z

Zelophile
A person who experiences sexual arousal from jealousy, particularly jealousy involving a romantic or sexual partner.