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

"Every single time we hear them say the word 'trans,' look what they're doing with their right hand," she said.

From Salon

"Every bit of time and energy that is used to divert the attention of the federal government to go after trans people is time and energy that is not focused on addressing the cost of living for our constituents," she said.

From Salon

The Riverside Unified School District has become the latest battleground over transgender athletes’ participation in sports after two female students filed a lawsuit this week alleging that a trans girl had ousted them from coveted spots on the cross-country team.

From Los Angeles Times

The fight in Riverside is one of a series of battles raging across California over trans women in sports.

From Los Angeles Times

A Christian high school from Merced, for example, this month forfeited a volleyball match rather than play against a private school in San Francisco that had a trans student on the team, according to the San Jose Mercury News.

From Los Angeles Times