transgender

[ trans-jen-der, tranz‑ ]

adjective

1. noting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s sex assigned at birth: She identifies as transgender.

   The organization supports transgender rights.

   She identifies as transgender.

2. noting or relating to a person who does not conform to societal gender norms or roles.

noun

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

transgender

/ ˌtrænzˈdʒɛndə /

adjective

1. of or relating to a person who wants to belong to the opposite sex

Sensitive Note

The term transgender has largely replaced the older term transsexual, which is now considered outdated, though some people within the community continue to identify with the word transsexual, especially older people. Transgender is a less clinical term, referring more to gender identity and gender expression than to physical sex characteristics or sexual orientation. It is also a more general and inclusive term: a transgender person may be nonbinary, gender-fluid, genderqueer, third gender, etc. Use of transgender as a noun (One of my colleagues is a transgender ) is declining and is usually taken as offensive. And many people object to the adjectival variant transgendered (One of my colleagues is transgendered ) because the –ed suffix seems to imply that something happened to make the person transgender. trans, transsexual.

Derived Forms

• ˌtransˈgendered, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of transgender¹

First recorded in 1970–75; trans- none + gender ¹none

Example Sentences

But few people know — or know that they know — a transgender person.

From Los Angeles Times

Members of the transgender and gender-diverse community are fearful that it’s going to get even harder to access care, now that president elect Donald Trump has won reelection.

From Salon

In the last several weeks, authorities banned performances by China’s most famous transgender celebrity, Jin Xing, which some suspected was due to her featuring a rainbow flag in a previous show.

From Los Angeles Times

Under Coe, World Athletics has banned transgender women from competing in the female category at international events.

From BBC

Research shows gender-affirming care improves the mental health and well-being of youth who are transgender, gender diverse, or nonbinary.

From Salon