safeword
Pre-agreed halt signal
A safeword is a prearranged word or signal used during sexual activity, particularly BDSM, that immediately stops the scene when spoken.
Because roleplay may involve saying "no" or "stop" without meaning it literally, partners agree on a neutral word—often something unlikely to come up naturally, like pineapple or red—that clearly communicates a genuine need to pause or end the encounter.
The term has extended to any agreed-upon signal for withdrawing from an uncomfortable situation.
Granted right to act
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- agreementShared position between parties
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
- negotiationDiscussion seeking mutual accord
voluntary · willingness · choice · revoke · withdraw · check-in · limits · threshold
Guarding against harm
- securityProtection from threat
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- stopCease all motion
- haltComplete sudden stop
escape · exit · refuge · sanctuary · haven · shield · buffer · reassurance
Self-assurance or trust
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- relianceState of needing support
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
- honestyTruthfulness, sincerity
communication · openness · faith · dependability · integrity · respect · mutual understanding · reassurance
Trigger for action
- codeSymbolic communication system
- alertWarning or watchfulness
- indicatorSign revealing status
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
trigger · verbal cue · nonverbal · gesture · traffic light · warning · announcement · notification
permission
Granted right to act
- boundaryLine marking a limit
- agreementShared position between parties
- autonomyIndependent decision-making capacity
negotiation · voluntary · willingness · choice · revoke · withdraw · check-in · limits · threshold · assent
protection
Guarding against harm
halt · escape · exit · refuge · sanctuary · haven · shield · buffer · reassurance · control
confidence
Self-assurance or trust
- vulnerabilityOpenness to harm
- relianceState of needing support
- intimacyEmotional closeness between people
honesty · communication · openness · faith · dependability · integrity · respect · mutual understanding · reassurance · commitment
cue
Trigger for action
phrase · trigger · verbal cue · nonverbal · gesture · traffic light · warning · announcement · notification · utterance
- kinkdom, domme, submissives, master, slave
safewordgreen light
Authorization to proceed
encouragement · more · affirmation · yes · keep going
safewordcoercion
Pressured compliance through threats
violation · force · compulsion · disregard · boundary crossing