trans*
adjective
of or relating to people with gender expressions outside traditional norms, as transgender, genderqueer, agender, or nonbinary: campus groups that welcome trans* students.
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trans*
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trans
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trans-
trans-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.
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trans.
trans.abbreviationtransaction.
trans*
1 American
[trans, tranz, trans stahr, trans as-ter-isk, tranz as‐]
/ træns, trænz, ˈtræns ˈstɑr, ˈtræns ˈæs tər ɪsk, ˈtrænz ˈæs‐ /
adjective
noun
trans
2
American
[trans, tranz]
/ træns, trænz /
adjective
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Their son is trans.
Laura is a trans woman.
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(no longer in common use) transsexual.
noun
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transes,
plural
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trans
plural
trans-
3
American
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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.
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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.
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Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.
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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
American
abbreviation
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transaction.
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transfer.
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transferred.
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transformer.
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transit.
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transitive.
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translated.
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translation.
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translator.
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transparent.
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transportation.
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transpose.
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transverse.
trans.
1
British
abbreviation
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transaction
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transferred
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transitive
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translated
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translator
trans-
2
British
prefix
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across, beyond, crossing, on the other side
transoceanic
trans-Siberian
transatlantic
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changing thoroughly
transliterate
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transcending
transubstantiation
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transversely
transect
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(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
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.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
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
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Stern: He wrote that Bostock supports, not undermines, the court’s conclusion in the latest trans cases, because in Bostock, everyone agreed that adverse actions against the employees was discrimination, right?
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026
“To her gay and trans fans, I want you to know that she loved you,” Fonda wrote.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
Despite her close proximity to Pence as a trans woman, Curlee noted that his views did not impact her work.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
For some, the focus on trans rights is a reason to step back from Pride; for others, it underscores why events like Sparkle matter.
From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026
He wouldn’t tell his parents he was trans for another year.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
In 2020 it felt as if trans rights were on the march.
From Slate ● Aug. 31, 2026
The trio stops for a lively trans poetry reading.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 28, 2026
Writing from Bree’s perspective, Parton beautifully captures the isolation that is so often part of the trans experience.
From Salon ● Aug. 28, 2026
Despite her close proximity to Pence as a trans woman, Curlee noted that his views did not impact her work.
From Barron's ● Aug. 26, 2026
“I’m not sure if you know this about me, because I don’t advertise it, but I’m a trans man,” he began.
From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman
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
Many fast food restaurants have recently eliminated the use of trans-fats, and U.S. food labels are now required to list their trans- fat content.
From Textbooks ● Apr. 25, 2013
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
This exquisite, this extravagant, this trans- cendent piece of architecture is the most joyous ut- terance of the French Renaissance.
From A Little Tour in France by Henry James
“I got a lot of negative feedback about me hating trans. And I’m like, ‘I never once said that,’” Cunningham said in the article.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
“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
Books of large value on the period include W. Busch, England under the Tudors, trans. by A.M.
From The Governments of Europe by Frederic Austin Ogg
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.
