adjective

MTF

em-tee-EF

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MTF (adjective) means Male-to-female: describing a transgender person who was assigned male at birth and identifies and lives as a woman. Example: “She started transitioning at 24 and describes herself as MTF.”

adjective

sometimes dated Male-to-female: describing a transgender person who was assigned male at birth and identifies and lives as a woman.

"She started transitioning at 24 and describes herself as MTF."

"The clinic runs separate support groups for MTF and FTM patients."

noun

clinical or dated A transgender woman.

"Several of the MTFs in the study had been on hormones for over a decade."

How to use MTF

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA woman who was recorded as male when she was born.

When to use it

Common in older clinical literature and on forums. Many trans people now prefer 'trans woman' or 'transfeminine', since MTF frames a woman by the sex she was assigned rather than the one she is. Use the term a person uses about themselves.

Memory tip

Read the letters in order: the first letter is the sex assigned at birth, the second is the person's gender. MTF is a woman; FTM is a man.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

FTM → trans woman transfeminine →

Common pairings

MTF transition MTF hormone therapy MTF and FTM

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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 “MTF” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

She started transitioning at 24 and describes herself as _____.

Etymology

An initialism of male-to-female.

Origin: English

Synonyms

View more →

trans woman transfeminine

Antonyms

FTM

Related words

FTM transfeminine cis woman

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between MTF and FTM?

MTF stands for male-to-female and describes a trans woman — someone assigned male at birth who lives as a woman. FTM stands for female-to-male and describes a trans man, assigned female at birth and living as a man.

Is MTF still the preferred term?

It is understood everywhere but is increasingly seen as dated, because it defines someone by a starting point rather than by who they are. 'Trans woman' or 'transfeminine' is the safer choice unless the person uses MTF themselves.

What is the meaning of MTF?

"MTF" (adjective) means male-to-female: describing a transgender person who was assigned male at birth and identifies and lives as a woman.

What is another word for MTF?

Other words for "MTF" include trans woman, transfeminine.

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FTM transfeminine cis woman