Their son is trans.
Laura is a trans woman.
(no longer in common use) transsexual.
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.
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.
Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.
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.
transaction.
transfer.
transferred.
transformer.
transit.
transitive.
translated.
translation.
translator.
transparent.
transportation.
transpose.
transverse.
transaction
transferred
transitive
translated
translator
across, beyond, crossing, on the other side
transoceanic
trans-Siberian
transatlantic
changing thoroughly
transliterate
transcending
transubstantiation
transversely
transect
(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
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.
First recorded in 2000–05; by shortening of transgender ( def. )
First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening
From Latin, combining form of trāns (adverb and preposition) “across, beyond, through”
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Guevara-Prete’s stores have also been important spaces for L.A.’s trans, queer and gender-fluid communities.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 22, 2026
By the time the child was born, the mother's partner had begun identifying as a trans man and was registered on the birth certificate as the father.
From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026
"The only workable solution is to protect the norm of trans-inclusive provision across the country, in line with international human rights standards and Labour's own promises to the trans community" she said.
From BBC • Apr. 14, 2026
“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
Even though he’d started high school as a boy, his trans status was a topic of constant rumor and gossip.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
