Top, bottom, switch
Top, bottom, and switch are terms for sexual roles. They describe how someone likes to give or receive stimulation, or their broader identity. A top is the more active partner or the one who gives stimulation. A bottom is the partner who receives stimulation or takes a more passive role. A switch can do both roles, sometimes as a top and sometimes as a bottom.
In BDSM, a top can be a dominant partner or just someone who provides stimulation, and topping from the bottom means the bottom tries to control the scene. A service top gives stimulation only at the bottom’s request. Bottoms aren’t always submissive, and tops aren’t always dominants. Some people switch between roles or between dominance and submission. The key in any dynamic is consent, negotiation, and mutual respect. In the 1970s, some gay communities used flagging—color-coded items like keys or handkerchiefs—to signal interests.
This page was last edited on 3 February 2026, at 12:21 (CET).