FTM
FTM (adjective) means Female to male: describing a transgender person who was assigned female at birth and whose gender is male. Example: “He runs a support group for FTM teenagers.”
How to Use FTM
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA shorthand for a trans man, meaning someone recorded female at birth who is male.
Common in medical and community contexts, though many people now prefer trans man or transmasculine, which do not foreground birth assignment. Best used as an adjective rather than a label for a person.
When talking about individuals, trans man is usually the safer and more respectful choice. Use whatever term the person uses for themselves.
Trace the full origin ↓Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
He runs a support group for _____ teenagers.
Etymology
An initialism of female to male.
Synonyms
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does FTM stand for?
It stands for female to male, describing a transgender person who was assigned female at birth and is male. The counterpart abbreviation is MTF, for male to female.
What is the difference between FTM and transmasculine?
FTM specifically describes someone whose gender is male. Transmasculine is broader and covers anyone assigned female at birth whose gender presentation or identity is masculine, including some non-binary people who do not identify simply as men.
Is FTM still the preferred term?
It is still widely used in medical literature and older community writing, but many people now prefer trans man or transmasculine because those terms lead with who the person is rather than what they were assigned. Follow the individual's own preference.