transvestite

American  

[trans-ves-tahyt, tranz-] / trænsˈvɛs taɪt, trænz- /

noun

1. Psychiatry. a person, especially someone assigned male at birth, who assumes the dress and manner usually associated with a different gender.

2. Older Use: Often Offensive. crossdresser. TV

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adjective

1. Older Use: Often Offensive. being or relating to a person who wears clothing typically worn by members of a different gender.

transvestite British  

/ trænzˈvɛstaɪt /

noun

1. a person who seeks sexual pleasure from wearing clothes that are normally associated with the opposite sex

2. any cross-dresser See cross-dressing

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transvestite Cultural  

1. Someone who dresses in the clothes usually worn by the opposite sex. Transvestites may be bisexual, heterosexual, or homosexual (see bisexuality, heterosexuality, and homosexuality).

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Other Word Forms

• transvestism
  noun

Etymology

Origin of transvestite

First recorded in 1925–30; from German Transvestit; see transvestism, -ite ¹

Compare meaning

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

• drag queen vs. transvestite

Explanation

A man who identifies himself as a transvestite likes to wear clothing that is typically thought of as feminine or womanly. You can also use the word transvestite to talk about a woman who enjoys wearing men's clothes, although it more frequently describes a man. Before you call anyone a transvestite, however, make sure the person doesn't consider the word offensive — it's more common these days to use the term cross-dresser.

Example Sentences

I am not gay, I am not straight, I am not a drag queen, I am not a transvestite, I am Jackie.”

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 5, 2025

“Each position will be occupied by the best, most capable person, be it a man, a woman, a transvestite or anything else.”

From Seattle Times • May 11, 2024

Most people who held "transvestite certificates," as Toni Simon did, had them revoked or watched helplessly as police refused to honor them.

From Salon • Jun. 7, 2023

"If I change it, I would erase myself as a transvestite."

From Reuters • May 6, 2022

Young boy slowly falling under the influence of a decadent uncle who is a transvestite.

From Checklist A complete, cumulative Checklist of lesbian, variant and homosexual fiction, in English or available in English translation, with supplements of related material, for the use of collectors, students and librarians. by Bradley, Marion Zimmer