Guest written by Rain Andersen (@wearenotfriends_) a veteran sworker with nine years in adult entertainment and five years working for Lovers.

People use the word “kinky” to describe everything from sex acts, to films, to pieces of clothing. It’s a beautiful, fun, and colorful word that brings a sense of taboo to any sentence it is married to. Nevertheless, people often use this word without knowing the true meaning behind it. In this article, we’ll discuss the definition of kink, what distinguishes a kink from a fetish, and the most interesting kinks, according to the Lovers 2022 Kink Survey.

QUICK LINKS:

1. What is Kink?
2. What is the Difference Between Kink & BDSM?
3. What is the Difference Between Kink & Fetish?
4. The Most Popular Kinks for Lovers

What is Kink?

People use the word kink to describe a variety of non-traditional sexual activities. The term non-traditional, refers to anything outside the realm of penetrative sex between two monogamous partners.

What is the Difference Between Kink and BDSM?

BDSM is an acronym for bondage, disciple/domination, sadism/submission, and masochism. It refers to any activity that involves the explicit exchange of power between two consenting partners. Some examples of BDSM activities include using restraints, impact items, and clamps to dictate when and how your partner experiences new sensations.

Kink, as we mentioned above, refers to a broader category of non-traditional sexual activities, that may or may not involve the exchange of power. In this respect- BDSM can be viewed as an expression of kink, and kink, the inspiration behind BDSM.

BDSM can be viewed as an expression of kink, and kink, the inspiration behind BDSM.

What is the Difference Between Kink and Fetish?

People often use the terms kink and fetish interchangeably, but these terms couldn’t be more divergent. Fetish refers to an activity, object, or body part that is necessary to facilitate pleasure. People with a fetish, require that fetish to be present in order to become sexually aroused, and may even develop a fixation on it. Kinks, on the other hand, are a reflection of our desires, fantasies, and curiosities. They are not mandatory for us to experience pleasure, but they have the power to influence our pleasure.

The Most Popular Kinks for Lovers

Last week, we polled Lovers social audience to determine what kinks they found the most compelling. The results may surprise you! Take a look at the top ten kinks, reported by Lover’s customers.

#2. Role play: When two or more people act out different characters to bring a sexual fantasy to life, usually with aid of costumes and props. Learn more about sexual role play with our article, Choose Your Character: A Beginner’s Guide to Roleplay.
73% Yes | 12% No | 15% Maybe

#3. Stockings & Nylons: The act of wearing, touching, admiring, or observing other people in various styles of hosiery. Nylon is a thin, light-weight, and textured material that can enhance the sensation of touch. Shop stockings now!
64% Yes | 19% No | 17% Maybe

#4. Voyeurism: The act of watching someone in sexually compromised, exposed, or suggestive situations. In voyeuristic fantasies, it is often implied that the viewer is unaware they are being watched. Learn more about voyeurism in our article, The Ultimate Guide to Outdoor Sex: How to Get Off in Public.
60% Yes | 22% No | 18% Maybe

#5. Forced Orgasms: A pre-negotiated orgasm, in which an individual is unable to resist or deny the stimulation they are being subjected to. Learn more about this kink in our Guide to Consensual Forced Orgasms.
56% Yes | 23% No | 21% Maybe

#6. Fantasy Play: A specific category of role play, where participants may take on the role of aliens, monsters, and other fantastical characters or beasts. Check out our Guide to Roleplay Sex for inspiration!
52% Yes | 30% No | 18% Maybe

#7. Group Sex: Sexual encounters involving three or more consenting participants. There are a number of different terms that extend from this kink, including the words threesome and orgy. A threesome refers to scenes limited to three participants, whereas an orgy refers to scenes involving five or more people. Learn more about group sex in our article, Hunting for Unicorns: A Couple’s Guide to Threesomes.
51% Yes | 28% No | 22% Maybe

#8. Water Sports: A slang term used to describe sexual activities involving urine. Water sports may entail drinking urine, observing someone urinate, or being urinated on- which is popularly referred to as a Golden Shower.
51% Yes | 31% No | 18% Maybe

#9. Sex Magick: The intentional ritualization of sexual activities, in order to manifest a desired result. Sex magick was a concept created by early American occultists that has recently resurfaced in popularly.
50% Yes | 36% No | 24% Maybe

#10. Latex: The act of wearing, touching, admiring, or observing people in latex clothing. Latex is a smooth, shiny, and form fitting material that can enhance the sensation of touch.
37% Yes | 40% No | 23% Maybe

Want more great sex tips?
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Further Readings:

I Did a Sex Magick Ritual & It Changed My Life: VICE
Defining the Line Between Kink & Fetish: Maude
You Might Want to Develop a Kink (Here's Why): The MAP Institute 

WITH PLEASURE,

LOVERS