# masochism

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈmæs.ə.kɪ.zəm/ · frequency rank #58,180

## Definitions
1. The (often sexual) enjoyment of receiving pain or humiliation.

## Etymology
From German Masochismus, coined alongside Sadismus in 1886 by Richard von Krafft-Ebing in his book Psychopathia Sexualis. Named after Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, whose novel "Venus in Furs" explores a sadomasochistic relationship, + -ism.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/masochism