kink.
A sexual interest or preference regarded as unconventional; also an ordinary twist, bend, difficulty or flaw in a nonsexual context.
What does kink mean?
In adult vocabulary, a kink is a sexual interest or preference considered unconventional. The word can identify a particular interest or refer more generally to unconventional sexual interests. It is a broad description rather than an inventory of what somebody does.
Outside that context, kink can mean a twist in a cable, a stiffness or a difficulty in a plan. “Work out the kinks” can simply mean fix the remaining problems. Do not carry the adult reading into an unrelated technical or everyday sentence.
See how it lands.
Original examples written for this entry, not quotations from the sources.
The discussion explained kink as a term for unconventional sexual interests.
We need to work out the kinks in the booking system.
The right word.
The right moment.
Use it when the adult meaning is genuinely relevant or when interpreting a specific quotation. Let people choose how they describe their own interests.
Avoid guessing somebody’s preferences, turning the label into a diagnosis, or sexualizing an ordinary reference to a knot, bend or technical problem.
Not quite the same as…
BDSM
BDSM names a group of practices and dynamics. Kink is a broader description of interests considered unconventional; the terms are not interchangeable in every sentence.
A little backstory.
The linked reference documents this meaning. This entry does not establish a single inventor or a first-use date; a dictionary record and a current popularity measurement answer different questions.
Supported by Wiktionary contributors
Still wondering?
Does kink always have a sexual meaning?
No. A twist, bend or difficulty is another established meaning. “Working out the kinks” can simply mean fixing problems.
Does the label describe a specific activity?
Not by itself. It is broad, so understanding the word does not tell you a particular person’s interests or boundaries.
Sources & checks
Meaning and factual notes are informed by the references below. Examples and usage advice are original editorial writing. A source documents use; it does not measure current popularity.
- kink — meaning and usage ↗Wiktionary contributors · checked 20 Oct 2026Supports: meaning; distinct senses