trans

¹

[ trans, tranz ]

adjective

1. transgender ( def ):

   Their son is trans.

   Laura is a trans woman.

2. (no longer in common use) transsexual ( def ).

noun

, plural trans·es, (especially collectively) trans.

1. Usually Offensive. a person who is transgender.

trans*

²

[ trans, tranz, trans stahr, trans as-ter-isk, tranz as‐ ]

adjective

1. of or relating to people with gender expressions outside traditional norms, as transgender, genderqueer, agender, or nonbinary: campus groups that welcome trans* students.

   important trans* issues;

   campus groups that welcome trans* students.

noun

1. Usually Offensive. a person with a gender identity outside traditional gender norms.

trans-

³

1. 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.
2. 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. Compare cis- ( def 2 ).
3. Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.
4. 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

abbreviation for

1. transaction.
2. transfer.
3. transferred.
4. transformer.
5. transit.
6. transitive.
7. translated.
8. translation.
9. translator.
10. transparent.
11. transportation.
12. transpose.
13. transverse.

trans.

¹

abbreviation for

1. transaction
2. transferred
3. transitive
4. translated
5. translator

trans-

²

prefix

1. across, beyond, crossing, on the other side

   transatlantic

   trans-Siberian

   transoceanic

2. changing thoroughly

   transliterate

3. transcending

   transubstantiation

4. transversely

   transect

5. 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

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. transgender.

Word History and Origins

Origin of trans¹

First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening

Origin of trans²

First recorded in 2000–05; by shortening of transgender ( def )

Origin of trans³

From Latin, combining form of trāns (adverb and preposition) “across, beyond, through”

Word History and Origins

Origin of trans¹

from Latin trāns across, through, beyond

Example Sentences

In one such 2019 diatribe, Bauer made a comment that disparaged and discredited trans and nonbinary people.

From Washington Post

Casa Ruby CEO Ruby Corado, a trans activist who was born in El Salvador, attended Menjívar’s platform announcement.

From Washington Blade

By the time the series reaches its halfway mark, it becomes clear that, while she may well have been culpable in the events that led to the charges against her, she was really being punished for the crime of being trans.

From Washington Blade

Both cis and trans folks are invited to this creative event, which includes a guided card-making activity.

From Washington Blade

Many trans folks have their own short list of icons and archetypes that they look up to, and so many of those stories have not been told.

From Time

In 2011 LGBT media outlet Queerty took the app to task for allegedly deleting accounts that made reference to being trans.

From The Daily Beast

“I think for trans men who are dating every time they hook up they have another coming out,” Sandler said.

From The Daily Beast

The digital dating sphere can prove tricky, and bruising, for the trans user.

From The Daily Beast

Like many trans users, Transartist often gets used as a source of information more than anything else.

From The Daily Beast

We are the sick ones who torment trans people every day of their lives.

From The Daily Beast

A very good quality of tobacco is grown in the trans-Caucasian provinces; it also flourishes well in the Southern provinces.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the route which was provisionally decided on by the great trans-Atlantic companies subsequent to the Titanic disaster.

From Project Gutenberg

If the troops in Trans-Caucasia were not much libelled, many of them came from their barracks, in exchange for vodka!

From Project Gutenberg

Graham made the first extended investigations in this field: Trans.

From Project Gutenberg

He also informed me that the great trans-Continental telegraph wire was being constructed from north to south.

From Project Gutenberg