Bottom (sex)

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In the context of human sexual behavior, especially anal sex among gay men, a bottom is a receptive partner (that is, a partner who is penetrated), or a person who prefers the receptive role. The counterpart is a top. A person who enjoys both topping and bottoming is called versatile or a switch. These terms are also used frequently in some lesbian circles, and are gaining use among some opposite-sex couples too. For example, the act of pegging involves a female top and a male bottom.

"Bottom" can also be used as an intransitive verb meaning to be sexually penetrated by: to bottom for someone.

The terms "submissive" or "passive" have been used for "bottom,", though these may be confusing as the sex in question needn't be part of a dominance relationship, nor is the bottom necessarily any less "active" than the top. Common slang terms in some gay communities include: pitcher (top), catcher (bottom) and switch hitter (versatile). In some languages "passive" and "active" are always used, rather than "bottom" or "top". Some gay men dislike the term "bottom" as they feel it has negative connotations, and prefer not to use that term or the corresponding "top".

By extension, the term "bottom" is also used in BDSM to mean a partner who receives stimulation from another, and who may or may not be submissive. See bottom (BDSM).

Beginning in the 1970s, bottoms sometimes identified themselves by wearing a set of keys on the right side of the belt or a handkerchief in their right rear pocket. In this system the bottom was not always penetrated, nor was he always the "passive" partner. Rather, the "bottom" role was different from act to act, as signified by the color of the handkerchief. The practice is used much less today.

In sexually themed anime and manga, especially shounen-ai and yaoi, a bottom is referred to as uke.