Disambiguation

'Master' has several distinct uses — a title within Master/slave traditions, a general honorific in some Leather contexts, and an occasional descriptor of experience. This article treats the term primarily as it appears in Master/slave traditions.

The title Master, and its counterpart Mistress, denotes a specific and generally earned position within an ongoing authority relationship. It is not a synonym for Dominant. In most traditions the title is claimed through demonstrated capability, mentorship and the acceptance of a slave, rather than through self-assignment.

Usage varies across communities. In Leather traditions the title is often reserved for those who have carried the responsibility over time; in other traditions it is used more freely between negotiated partners.