Our Definition
the party receiving sensation during a scene or sexual encounter.
Often conflated with Submissive, due to a large overlap and shared history in the BDSM community. However, the two concepts are separate, and bottoming does not necessitate submission.
In the LGBTQ+ community, 'bottom' refers to the person who receives penetration, with 'top' meaning the inverse.
Common Practices & Examples
Everyone is different! You'll see this repeated throughout our website and glossary. Common bottoming practices include, but certainly aren't limited to
- Receiving impact (spanking, whipping, etc.)
- Being bound or tied up
- Receiving penetration
- Being on the receiving end of sensation and/or pain play.
Hildebrand considers themself a bottom and a masochist, but does not identify with either dominance or submission; they prefer scenes that do not focus on power exchange dynamics.
Lulu is a dominant who enjoys “directing” scenes from the bottom.
Hortensius is a bottom and also a submissive.
