transgender

American  

[trans-jen-der, tranz‑] / ˌtrænsˈdʒɛn dər, ˌtrænz‑ /

adjective

1. 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.

2. noting or relating to a person who does not conform to societal gender norms or roles.

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noun

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

transgender British  

/ ˌtrænzˈdʒɛndə /

adjective

1. of or relating to a person who wants to belong to the opposite sex

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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The term transgender has largely replaced the older term transsexual, which is now considered outdated, though some people within the community continue to identify with the word transsexual, especially older people.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

• transgendered adjective

Etymology

Origin of transgender

First recorded in 1970–75; trans- + gender ¹

Compare meaning

How does transgender compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• transgender vs. transsexual
• transgender vs. transgendered
• cisgender vs. transgender

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

A nurse from south London who was suspended over an alleged breach of a transgender patient's confidentiality has won a settlement against the NHS trust she works for.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

These claims were unsubstantiated as post-election polling shows that transgender policies are were often ranked low in priorities for surveyed voters.

From Salon • Apr. 5, 2026

Festival organizers believe that a wide array of performing arts created by transgender artists can be a lifeline.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026

Almost 30 states have curbed or outlawed “therapy” that seeks to change minors’ sexual orientation or gender identity—that is, to make them stop being gay, bisexual, or transgender.

From Slate • Mar. 31, 2026

Pride at Work, a national coalition of gay, bisexual, and transgender workers, becomes an AFL-CIO constituency.

From "1919 The Year That Changed America" by Martin W. Sandler