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adj

transsexual

tranz-SEHK-shoo-uhl

Transsexual (adj) means describing someone who has changed, or is changing, their physical sex through medical treatment such as hormone therapy or surgery. Example: “The documentary followed a transsexual woman through her transition.”

adj
1
Describing someone who has changed, or is changing, their physical sex through medical treatment such as hormone therapy or surgery.
"The documentary followed a transsexual woman through her transition."
noun
1
A transsexual person.
"He identified as a transsexual man after completing his transition."

How to use transsexual

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishDescribes someone who has medically transitioned to another sex.

When to use it

Largely replaced by "transgender" as the general umbrella term since the 1990s; "transsexual" is now used more narrowly and some prefer to avoid it — follow the preference of the person being described.

Easily confused with

Word forms

more transsexual comparative, transsexuals plural, most transsexual superlative

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The documentary followed a _____ woman through her transition.

Etymology

Coined in English in 1949 by physician David Oliver Cauldwell, adapting the German term Transsexualismus coined by Magnus Hirschfeld in 1923.

Origin: German · First attested 1949

Class of 1949 transsexual joined the language around 1949.
See the full Class of 1949 →

Related words

Rhymes for transsexual

See all rhymes for transsexual →

Frequently asked questions

What does “transsexual” mean?

The word “transsexual” means describing someone who has changed, or is changing, their physical sex through medical treatment such as hormone therapy or surgery. In plain terms, describes someone who has medically transitioned to another sex.

How do you pronounce “transsexual”?

“Transsexual” is pronounced tranz-SEHK-shoo-uhl (/ˌtɹænzˈsɛkʃuəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “transsexual” in a sentence?

Here is “transsexual” used in a sentence: “The documentary followed a transsexual woman through her transition.”

What is another word for “transsexual”?

Words with a similar meaning to “transsexual” include transsex and transsexed.

What part of speech is “transsexual”?

Depending on how it is used, “transsexual” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “transsexual” come from?

The word “transsexual” dates back to around 1949 and comes from German. Coined in English in 1949 by physician David Oliver Cauldwell, adapting the German term Transsexualismus coined by Magnus Hirschfeld in 1923.

How many meanings does “transsexual” have?

“Transsexual” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: describing someone who has changed, or is changing, their physical sex through medical treatment such as hormone therapy or surgery.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial