transgender

[trans-jen-der, tranz‑]

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

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The term transgender has largely replaced the older term transsexual, which is now considered outdated, though some people within the community continue to identify with the word transsexual, especially older people.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

Word History and Origins

Origin of transgender¹

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

Example Sentences

Graham Linehan has told a court his life has been "made hell" by transgender activists, including one who he is accused of harassing.

From BBC

Some 49% say the same of equal opportunities for black and Asian people, while 71% express that view in the case of transgender people.

From BBC

He went on to say that senators who supported health care for transgender minors didn’t have a leg to stand on.

From Salon

California law requires students learn and be provided instructional materials that explain the “role and contributions” of, among others, “lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Americans.”

From Los Angeles Times

The IOC said competitors were eligible for the women's division in Paris if their passports said they were female and made it clear last year this is "not a transgender case".

From BBC