adjective

cisgender

SIS-jen-duh

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Cisgender (adjective) means having a gender identity that matches the sex recorded at birth. Example: “The survey compared health outcomes for transgender and cisgender patients.”

adjective

Having a gender identity that matches the sex recorded at birth.

"The survey compared health outcomes for transgender and cisgender patients."

"He describes himself as a cisgender man."

"Gender assumed many roles in this pandemic. Cisgender men were more likely to die from the virus, which seemed to be about inherent vulnerabilities of those with XY chromosomes." — Rebecca Solnit, Coronavirus does discriminate, because that’s what humans do (2020)

"To uphold the inequality that we choose to engage in, we regularly present the myth that trans people are deviant or a danger to cisgender people." — Renee Martin, The Guardian (2009)

"As trans people, we have many cisgender allies—those who show their support for the concerns, needs, and rights of trans people, even though they may not personally face the same issues." — Laura Erickson-Schroth, Trans Bodies (2014)

How to use cisgender

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishSomeone who feels themselves to be the gender they were said to be at birth.

When to use it

A neutral descriptive term used in medicine, research and general writing; often shortened to cis.

Memory tip

Use it as an adjective before a noun, as in cisgender women, rather than as a noun for a person.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

transgender → cissexual heterosexual →

Common pairings

cisgender men cisgender women cisgender and transgender people cis and trans

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “cisgender” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The survey compared health outcomes for transgender and _____ patients.

Etymology

From the Latin prefix cis- meaning on this side of, formed as the counterpart to trans- meaning across, plus gender.

Origin: Latin

Antonyms

transgender

Related words

trans transgender cis male transgendered

Rhymes for cisgender

ender gender fender tender bender render lender sender agender slender blender spender

See all rhymes for cisgender →

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between cisgender and heterosexual?

Cisgender is about gender identity, meaning whether a person's sense of their own gender matches the sex recorded at birth. Heterosexual is about sexual orientation, meaning who a person is attracted to. A person can be cisgender and gay, or transgender and straight.

Why does the prefix cis- exist?

It supplies a plain word for the majority case so that transgender people are not implicitly treated as the only group with a gender identity. Cis- and trans- are a standard pair in Latin, geography and chemistry.

Is cisgender the same as cis?

Yes. Cis is simply the short form and means exactly the same thing, though the full word is preferred in formal writing.

What is the meaning of cisgender?

"cisgender" (adjective) means having a gender identity that matches the sex recorded at birth.

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