I think it is important to break this down into each side of the slash, so here are the general descriptions for some of the more common s-types. (Disclaimer: there is no one right answer/definition, this is based on generalized experience; labels should always be the START of a discussion, not the end of one. Your label may vary to a degree and it’s always important to fully articulate your labels, what they do/don’t mean to you, and describe your ideal dynamic to a potential partner.)
- Service sub/slave: finds fulfillment and joy from acts of service; likes tasks and creating an environment of care.
- Kajira: Introduced in John Norman’s Gor novel series to describe female sex slaves; a kajira is a female slave who is trained in specific skills, behaviors, rituals, and body positions, and who exists solely to serve and please her Master.
- Bottom: The person who is giving up an amount of negotiated control during a BDSM scene.
- Masochist: a person who receives physical or psychological pain for pleasure.
- Brat: playful archetype that likes to challenge their partner; finds enjoyment in the push-and-pull.
- Slave: A slave is an extreme iteration of a submissive. A slave fully and consensually yields control over their actions and decisions to their Master.
- Sexual/bedroom sub: subs who look to explore sexual experiences and fetishes from a submissive position during those acts.
- Little: the term “Little” refers to the regressed self of the younger person of a DD/lg couple. Remember, this is adult consensual role play for those 18 and older. There are several generic types of Littles: Babygirls, Littles, Lolitas, Pets, and Kittens to name a few. This is also the common title for those Littles who do not claim a specific age.
- Property: someone is figuratively owning another as “property” within the confines of the relationship and/or the BDSM community that they belong to. This can extend into objectification.
- Rope Bunny: A rope bunny is a willing participant who finds pleasure in being tied up with rope, and often surrendering control to their partner, the Rigger.
As you can see, submissive roles are as diverse and creative as the people who embrace them. And this list only scratches the surface — there are so many ways to express submission, from the structured to the sensual, the playful to the profound.