Word
bondage
US/ˈbɑndɪdʒ/
UK/bˈɒndɪdʒ/
Definitions
01slavery
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun Literary
n. the state of being a slave or being owned by another person.
n. the condition of being enslaved or the practice of slavery. Uncountable in its general sense.
“The people lived in bondage for generations before they finally gained their freedom.”
“Historical accounts detail the brutal conditions of those held in lifelong bondage on the plantations of the eighteenth century.”
Synonyms
02lack of freedom
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Literary · Formal
n. a situation where you are not free to do what you want because of rules or debt.
n. the state of being under the control of another person or force; a lack of personal autonomy.
“He felt he was in financial bondage because of his massive student loans.”
“The philosopher argued that ignorance is a form of mental bondage that prevents true self-determination.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03sexual restraint
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Technical
n. a sexual practice where one person is tied up or restrained for pleasure.
n. the practice of physically restraining a partner for sexual gratification, often involving ropes, handcuffs, or other devices.
Español:bondage
“The couple decided to explore bondage as a way to spice up their relationship.”
“The study examined the psychological motivations behind the practice of consensual bondage in adult relationships.”
Synonyms
04punk/goth fashion
C2 · Proficiency Uncountable noun Informal
n. a style of clothing with many straps, buckles, and zips, often worn in punk or goth fashion.
n. a style of dress characterized by straps, buckles, and hardware, derived from the aesthetic of physical restraint.
“He wore a pair of black bondage trousers with silver chains hanging from the pockets.”
“The designer's new collection was heavily influenced by 1970s punk bondage gear, featuring excessive zippers and leather straps.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Shasha has a background in restaging ancient Greek dramas and in circus, while her last show was about the Japanese art of bondage, shibari .” “They have been tied up in chains for too long: Bardot is presented as the Harry Houdini who will get them out of bondage.” Etymology
Inherited from Middle English bondage (“serfdom”), from British Medieval Latin bondagium (“an inferior tenure held by a bond or husbandman”), from Middle English bond (“tenant farmer, serf”), from Old English bonda (“householder, husband, head of a family”), of Old Norse origin. Sense development influenced by the unrelated terms bond and bind.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/bondage
Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0