The full form of ABDL is Adult Baby/Diaper Lover

This acronym is used to represent the phrase “Adult Baby/Diaper Lover.” This is a fetish where consenting adults roleplay as either a baby, also called a “little,” and a daddy or mommy. It often involves s*x, but not always. Some adults that enjoy being a baby do it for their own reasons which can include a feeling of safety, a desire to be h***liated, etc. Adult babies and diaper lovers live an otherwise normal life outside of this fetish. A common misconception is that diaper lovers committed to this lifestyle are sexually attracted to children or infants and this is untrue. They are attracted to adults who desire to dress like babies, not to infants or children themselves. The reasons they are attracted to being a daddy or mommy in this type of relationship vary from person to person. Adult babies wear diapers and wear or use other baby paraphernalia as well and are usually kept in a “nursery,” which would the BDSM equivalent of a nursery where they are cared for by there dominant and refer to them as daddy or mommy.

Origin of ABDL

This term was used as far back as 1910, but it was considered a taboo subject. It was not until the 1970s that this community gained traction when it became acceptable to discuss these fetishes in certain print magazines that had the freedom to discuss certain fetishes that people enjoyed. In the 1990s, more light was shed of this fetish due to the dawn of the internet and electronic access to others who enjoyed the fetish as well. The fetish is no longer considered taboo and the internet made it acceptable to speak about such fetishes.

Other Meanings

There are currently no other known meanings for this acronym.

Conversation Examples

A text message exchange between two friends.

Friend 1: What is your opinion on the ABDL fetish lifestyle?
Friend 2: I don’t have one. I accept everyone as long as they aren’t breaking any laws. Everyone is entitled to be who they are and embrace what they love. Their personal life is none of my business.
Friend 1: Okay, I just want to be sure because I am into the ABDL lifestyle and I didn’t want you to freak out if you saw something.
Friend 2: I would never! It is your life and you deserve to be happy. Be yourself!