trans*
1 Americanadjective
noun
adjective
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Their son is trans.
Laura is a trans woman.
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(no longer in common use) transsexual.
noun
plural
transes,plural
trans-
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.
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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.
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Astronomy. a prefix denoting something farther from the sun (than a given planet): trans-Martian; trans-Neptunian.
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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.
abbreviation
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transaction.
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transfer.
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transferred.
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transformer.
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transit.
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transitive.
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translated.
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translation.
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translator.
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transparent.
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transportation.
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transpose.
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transverse.
abbreviation
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transaction
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transferred
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transitive
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translated
-
translator
prefix
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across, beyond, crossing, on the other side
transoceanic
trans-Siberian
transatlantic
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changing thoroughly
transliterate
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transcending
transubstantiation
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transversely
transect
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(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
See trans, transgender.
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. See also transgender.
Etymology
Origin of trans*1
First recorded in 2000–05; by shortening of transgender ( def. )
Origin of trans2
First recorded in 1970–75; by shortening
Origin of trans-3
From Latin, combining form of trāns (adverb and preposition) “across, beyond, through”
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This presents a potential challenge for trans Kansans who might have otherwise used their birth certificates as one of the two pieces of identification required to replace a driver’s license.
From Slate
If a trans person runs afoul of the law multiple times, they may be criminally charged with a misdemeanor.
From Slate
Rep. Abi Boatman, the only transgender member of the Kansas legislature, told me on Thursday that she has not yet received her own letter demanding the surrender of her ID, and the delay has her worried that trans people may be risking penalties for driving without a license without ever being notified that their IDs are void.
From Slate
"It's war, every night," the head of the Inter Trans logistics company told AFP.
From Barron's
What has surprised so many, at least in the West, is how women - straight, queer, trans, "wine moms", daughters and your grandmother's Facebook group - have embraced Heated Rivalry's intimate portrait of queer love.
From BBC
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
