trans*

¹ American  

[trans, tranz, trans stahr, trans as-ter-isk, tranz as‐] / træns, trænz, ˈtræns ˈstɑr, ˈtræns ˈæs tər ɪsk, ˈtrænz ˈæs‐ /

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.

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noun

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

trans ² American  

[trans, tranz] / træns, trænz /

adjective

1. transgender.

   Their son is trans.

   Laura is a trans woman.

2. (no longer in common use) transsexual.

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noun

plural

transes,

plural

trans

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

trans- ³ American  

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.

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.

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trans. ⁴ American  

abbreviation

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.

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trans. ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. transaction

2. transferred

3. transitive

4. translated

5. translator

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trans- ² British  

prefix

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

   transoceanic

   trans-Siberian

   transatlantic

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

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Sensitive Note

See trans, transgender.

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. See also transgender.

Etymology

Origin of trans*¹

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

Origin of trans²

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of trans-³

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

Example Sentences

“What we’re seeing is that supporting trans people isn’t unpopular — it’s that the loudest opposition has gone unanswered in some places,” Hack said.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

The festival offers an option for seeing live comedy where trans people aren’t “constantly catching strays,” festival producer and actor Petey Gibson says.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Even issues that would go on to be more contentious within feminism and outside it—body positivity, trans rights—did crucial work.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Critics further argue that the new definition could exclude many transgender people, particularly those who rely on self-identification, including some trans men and women as well as non-binary and gender-fluid people.

From BBC • Mar. 26, 2026

I got to my feet: minor spraining of the sub ... trans ... damn, what was that called?

From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss