transgender
Americanadjective
-
noting or relating to a person whose gender identity does not correspond to that person’s sex assigned at birth: She identifies as transgender.
The organization supports transgender rights.
She identifies as transgender.
-
noting or relating to a person who does not conform to societal gender norms or roles.
noun
adjective
Sensitive Note
The term transgender has largely replaced the older term transsexual, which is now considered outdated, though some people within the community continue to identify with the word transsexual, especially older people. Transgender is a less clinical term, referring more to gender identity and gender expression than to physical sex characteristics or sexual orientation. It is also a more general and inclusive term: a transgender person may be nonbinary, gender-fluid, genderqueer, third gender, etc. Use of transgender as a noun (One of my colleagues is a transgender ) is declining and is usually taken as offensive. And many people object to the adjectival variant transgendered (One of my colleagues is transgendered ) because the –ed suffix seems to imply that something happened to make the person transgender. See also trans, transsexual.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of transgender
Compare meaning
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Explanation
A person who does not identify with conventional gender roles or identities might describe himself or herself using the adjective transgender. A transgender person is someone who doesn't quite fit the ideas of gender that are culturally considered "normal." Most often, someone who identifies as transgender feels that he or she was born into the wrong gender — for example, a boy who feels strongly that he is actually female. In some cases, a transgender person switches genders. The key to this word is the Latin prefix trans, which means "across," but also "beyond."
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.
The data also suggests recorded hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity are unchanged or falling.
From BBC ● Oct. 8, 2026
"I'm here because I believe in democracy. Because I'm scared," said Alice Carneiro, 25, an administrator in maritime shipping, crying as she expressed fears about a possible backlash against her wife, who is transgender.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
His office also successfully defended California’s transgender athlete policies against the Trump administration’s Title IX claims, defeated the challenge to its Proposition 39 description and secured some early wins in the Paramount case.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 1, 2026
In 2015, she and her spouse divorced after more than 20 years of marriage and just a few months later, Caitlyn came out as transgender during an interview with ABC News’ Diane Sawyer.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 29, 2026
A transgender woman is someone who currently identifies as female.
From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater
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