Glossary
S-type
One word for the whole surrendering side, whether you are a sub, slave, little or pet.
What is an s-type?
An s-type is the umbrella term for anyone on the receiving side of a D/s dynamic: the sub, the slave, the little, the pet. The word says which side of the power exchange you are on, not which title or style goes with it. The side that steers is called the d-type.
| Language | An English scene term, used untranslated in Dutch as well |
| Also known as | the surrendering side, the sub; which word fits depends on the role |
| Category | a position within D/s, and so within BDSM |
| Counterpart | the d-type, the side that steers |
| Covers | sub, slave, little, pet |
| Core condition | the power is given, not taken; the s-type sets the limits |
Where the word comes from
The scene uses s-type and d-type as neutral shorthand: they point to a position, not a title and not a gender. A kink encyclopedia sums up the s-type as the one who hands over control, the act of submission itself. That handing over stays a choice of your own, because the same source stresses that submissives decide for themselves who they surrender to and for how long. The choice stays yours.
Why people use the term
The strength of the word is in what it leaves open. If you notice you want to surrender but you do not yet know whether that is as a sub, a little or a pet, then s-type covers that whole search without pinning you down. It also says nothing about who you are outside of play. According to the encyclopedia, it is the surrendering side that keeps the underlying control, because that is where the limits and the safeword sit. Surrender on paper, the direction in practice.
Where this fits on this site
If you want to explore that surrendering side with someone who fills the steering side calmly, that is exactly what a BDSM date with me can be. I am Victor, gigolo. We agree on your limits before we begin, and you keep them in hand.
Sources
- Dominance and submission. Wikipedia. Gives that the surrendering side keeps the underlying control in practice and that the safeword ends a scene.
Related terms
Frequently asked questions
Questions about this term
What is an s-type?
An s-type is the umbrella term for anyone on the receiving side of a D/s dynamic, such as a sub, slave, little or pet. The word says which side of the power exchange you are on, without locking you into a fixed title or style right away.
Who can you turn to with questions about s-type?
I’m happy to talk through the s-type role with you. I’m Victor, gigolo with more than 25 years of experience in BDSM, and on a date I take on the steering side while you find out how surrender feels for you. Ask your question with no obligation or through free chat.
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Still have questions about the s-type role?
I'm Victor, gigolo. On a BDSM date I steer, and you find out how surrender feels for you, always within what you set out beforehand. Curious how that goes? Send me a message and I'll text you back whenever suits you.