trans

¹

[ trans, tranz ]

adjective

1. transgender ( def ):

   Their son is trans.

   Laura is a trans woman.

2. (no longer in common use) transsexual ( def ).

noun

, plural trans·es, (especially collectively) trans.

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

trans*

²

[ trans, tranz, trans stahr, trans as-ter-isk, tranz as‐ ]

adjective

1. of or relating to people with gender expressions outside traditional norms, as transgender, genderqueer, agender, or nonbinary: campus groups that welcome trans* students.

   important trans* issues;

   campus groups that welcome trans* students.

noun

1. Usually Offensive. a person with a gender identity outside traditional gender norms.

trans-

³

1. a prefix occurring in loanwords from Latin ( transcend; transfix ); on this model, used with the meanings “across,” “beyond,” “through,” “changing thoroughly,” “transverse,” in combination with elements of any origin: transisthmian; trans-Siberian; transempirical; transvalue.
2. Chemistry. a prefix denoting a geometric isomer having a pair of identical atoms or groups on the opposite sides of two atoms linked by a double bond. Compare cis- ( def 2 ).
3. Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.
4. a prefix meaning “on the other side of,” referring to the misalignment of one’s gender identity with one's sex assigned at birth: transgender.

trans.

⁴

abbreviation for

1. transaction.
2. transfer.
3. transferred.
4. transformer.
5. transit.
6. transitive.
7. translated.
8. translation.
9. translator.
10. transparent.
11. transportation.
12. transpose.
13. transverse.

trans.

¹

abbreviation for

1. transaction
2. transferred
3. transitive
4. translated
5. translator

trans-

²

prefix

1. across, beyond, crossing, on the other side

   transatlantic

   trans-Siberian

   transoceanic

2. changing thoroughly

   transliterate

3. transcending

   transubstantiation

4. transversely

   transect

5. often in italics indicating that a chemical compound has a molecular structure in which two groups or atoms are on opposite sides of a double bond Compare cis-

   trans-butadiene

Sensitive Note

The terms transgender and trans are generally accepted as interchangeable. However, some people prefer the shortened adjective trans to avoid any reference to assigned sex or binary gender in this inclusive identity label. Many transgender people prefer writing trans compounds as two words, as in trans man, trans woman, and trans person. When so written as an open compound with a space, trans functions as an adjective modifying a noun such as man. Spelling these words as closed or hyphenated compounds, as in transmale and trans-people, loses the distinction between trans as a descriptive adjective and man, woman, or person as a human being. Similarly, cis male and cis female are the preferred spelling of these terms. transgender.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trans¹

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of trans²

First recorded in 2000–05; by shortening of transgender ( def )

Origin of trans³

From Latin, combining form of trāns (adverb and preposition) “across, beyond, through”

Word History and Origins

Origin of trans¹

from Latin trāns across, through, beyond

Example Sentences

Jayce Baron, another one of Java’s caretakers in her final years, said queer people today are “benefiting as a community on the backs and shoulders of trans people of color, and are hardly ever giving them their credit or their just due.”

From Los Angeles Times

“The importance of her story is underscored by ongoing legislative attacks on trans autonomy and drag entertainment,” Ladner said, “and the increasing visibility of trans youth in schools.”

From Los Angeles Times

It’s come under fire for the way it handles trans issues too.

From Los Angeles Times

McBride recently became the first openly trans woman elected to Congress.

From Salon

The "Harry Potter" series author slammed John Oliver for his comments on "Last Week Tonight," in which he addressed misinformation spread around trans athletes in high school during the 2024 election cycle.

From Salon