# Common BDSM Roles and What They Mean

> Half the confusion about BDSM roles is that two different systems of words are in use at once. Here is the map, organised around recognising yourself rather than memorising a glossary.

Canonical URL: https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/
Markdown: https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/index.md
Publication: Classic BDSM — an India-focused, adult-only, non-explicit educational resource.

## Scope

This page covers: bdsm roles.
Also addresses: types of bdsm roles; dom sub switch top bottom meaning; bdsm role vocabulary; what are the roles in bdsm.
Not covered here (see the linked pages instead): am i submissive; am i dominant; am i a switch; dom vs sub vs switch; domme meaning; dom vs top and sub vs bottom; how to be a dom.

## Key concepts

- BDSM roles
- dominant
- Domme
- submissive
- switch
- top
- bottom
- power exchange
- Master/slave
- consent

## Sections

- The simplest way to see it: two different axes (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#the-two-axes)
- Dominant, Domme and submissive — the leading and following roles (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#power-roles)
- Switch — flexibility on the same axis (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#switch)
- Top and bottom — the activity roles (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#top-and-bottom)
- Other role words you will meet (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#other-role-words)
- A role is not your personality, and it is not blanket consent (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#role-personality-consent)
- Do you actually need a role? (https://classic-bdsm.com/learn/bdsm-roles/#do-you-need-a-role)

## Sources referenced

- The Journal of Sex Research — Jaime M. Brown, Meg-John Barker & Qazi Rahman, "A Systematic Scoping Review of the Prevalence, Etiological, Psychological, and Interpersonal Factors Associated with BDSM" (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31617765/)

Last reviewed: 2026-09-01