adj
Uncommon
cis
sihs
Cis (adj) means Cisgender; describing someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. Example: “The survey asked respondents whether they identified as cis or trans.”
adj
1
Cisgender; describing someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
"The survey asked respondents whether they identified as cis or trans."
2
In chemistry, describing a molecule where two similar groups sit on the same side of a double bond or ring.
"A cis double bond is one where the hydrogen atoms are both on the same side. In contrast, a trans double bond has them on the opposite side."
— William P Edwards, The Science of Bakery Products (2015)
"The cis form of the fatty acid behaves differently from its trans counterpart."
How to use cis
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot transgender (in social contexts), or describing molecules with matching groups on the same side (in chemistry).
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Etymology
From Latin cis, "on this side of" — the opposite of "trans", "across" or "on the other side".
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “cis” mean?
The word “cis” means cisgender; describing someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth. In plain terms, not transgender (in social contexts), or describing molecules with matching groups on the same side (in chemistry).
How do you pronounce “cis”?
“Cis” is pronounced sihs (/sɪs/ in IPA).
How do you use “cis” in a sentence?
Here is “cis” used in a sentence: “The survey asked respondents whether they identified as cis or trans.”
What is the opposite of “cis”?
The opposite of “cis” — its antonyms — is trans.
What part of speech is “cis”?
“Cis” is an adjective.
Where does the word “cis” come from?
The word “cis” comes from Latin. From Latin cis, "on this side of" — the opposite of "trans", "across" or "on the other side".
Is “cis” a common word?
“Cis” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “cis” have?
“Cis” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: cisgender; describing someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.
What is the difference between "cis" and "trans" when describing gender?
"Cis" describes someone whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth, while "trans" describes someone whose gender identity differs from it. Both are adjectives describing a person's relationship to their assigned sex.
What does "cis" mean in chemistry?
In chemistry, "cis" describes a molecule in which two similar groups sit on the same side of a double bond or ring structure. Its opposite, "trans," describes those same groups sitting on opposite sides.
Is "cisgender" the same word as "cis"?
Yes, "cis" is simply the shortened form of "cisgender," and both are used interchangeably as adjectives, as in "a cis man" or "a cisgender man."
