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.

---

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

---

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The term transgender has largely replaced the older term transsexual, which is now considered outdated, though some people within the community continue to identify with the word transsexual, especially older people.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

On the first, priests tie a sacred thread around the necks of the transgender devotees, symbolising their marriage to the Hindu warrior god Aravan.

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

"So I am getting more respect, and in this way I feel more proud of becoming transgender."

From Barron's • May 3, 2026

Father Ted co-creator Graham Linehan has had his conviction for damaging a transgender activist's mobile phone overturned.

From BBC • May 1, 2026

Cal Calamia is a transgender marathoner and activist helping to make the world’s races more equitable and inclusive.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 20, 2026

A transgender man is someone who currently identifies as male.

From "The 57 Bus" by Dashka Slater