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.
“To date there’s been one out trans player in the league. They caused zero problems.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
"I have never once said I hated the trans community... I think there's space for everyone," she said, before the Fever's 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
"We remain committed to defending human rights, including both the rights of women and the rights of trans people."
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The majority’s language could also signal how it will rule on future trans rights issues.
From Slate ● Jul. 7, 2026
Now researchers think these hydrogenated trans fats in margarine are actually worse for our hearts than butter.
From "The Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan
“If you are new here, I am a vocal ally of the trans community,” Turner wrote on X in 2024.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
"I have never once said I hated the trans community... I think there's space for everyone," she said, before the Fever's 123-88 win over the Connecticut Sun in Indianapolis on Wednesday.
From Barron's ● Jul. 23, 2026
"We remain committed to defending human rights, including both the rights of women and the rights of trans people."
From BBC ● Jul. 14, 2026
The only trans student-athlete seeking a right to play sports at her public school, known as B.P.J. in the court documents, was in a similar position.
From Slate ● Jun. 30, 2026
In the Before, I never ate McDonald’s because there were a million fancy burger places in the city and Mom avoided trans fats.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
During this hydrogenation process, double bonds in the cis- conformation in the hydrocarbon chain may be converted to double bonds in the trans- conformation; unfortunately, trans fats have been shown to contribute to heart disease.
From Textbooks ● Jun. 9, 2022
The prefix trans- still implies movement, change, transition, which is a valid component of identity for many transgender individuals.
From Slate ● May 14, 2018
We ultimately got Charlie’s case trans- ferred to juvenile court, where the shooting was adjudicated as a juve- nile offense.
From MSNBC ● Oct. 22, 2014
She said the talks centered on certification for the long-haul, trans- oceanic flights for which the jet was marketed.
From BusinessWeek ● Dec. 27, 2010
In order to escape Jupiter's advances she transformed herself into a quail and threw herself down from heaven; whereupon he trans- formed himself into an eagle.
From The Faerie Queene — Volume 01 by Spenser, Edmund
“But it would be years before I came out as gay, years before I came out as trans. Narratives have been my way of exploring those identities, even as allegory.”
From New York Times ● Jun. 30, 2023
"So you're trans. Weird way to come out, but good on you," new product strategy & development professional Tom Coates added.
From Salon ● Dec. 29, 2022
“There is nothing wrong or dirty about being trans. It’s just a part of us that we live with.”
From Washington Post ● Sep. 23, 2022
“The truth of the matter is, kids are gay. Kids are trans. Kids are everywhere on the LGBTQIA+ spectrum,” Mr. Hanohano said.
From Washington Times ● Jun. 10, 2022
Menschen, trans. into German from the Arabic version of Sam.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 1 "Austria, Lower" to "Bacon" by Various
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.
