Definition & Meaning
- Tranny (noun, slang – derogatory when applied to people):
- An offensive slur historically used against transgender people, especially transgender women. It is widely condemned today as disrespectful and demeaning.
- In a non-gender context, tranny is also slang for transmission in automotive mechanics (e.g., “fixing the car’s tranny”).
Etymology: Shortened from transvestite or transsexual (in the offensive sense), or from transmission (in the car-related sense).
Pronunciation
- /ˈtræni/
- Sounds like TRANN-ee.
Grammatical Formation
- Singular: tranny
- Plural: trannies
- Used as a noun; sometimes adjectival in slang (e.g., “tranny porn”).
- The people-related usage is offensive and should be avoided.
Word Comparisons
- Tranny vs. Transgender: Tranny is a slur; transgender is the respectful and correct term.
- Tranny vs. Transsexual: Transsexual is outdated but not inherently a slur; tranny is offensive.
- Tranny vs. Transmission (mechanics): In auto slang, tranny is neutral and refers to car transmissions.
Prepositional Usage
- Tranny in: “The term ‘tranny’ in porn titles is considered offensive.”
- Tranny with: “He fixed the old truck with a new tranny.” (mechanical context).
- Tranny for: “Using the word ‘tranny’ for a transgender woman is demeaning.”
Real-Life Examples
- “Activists highlight that the word tranny is harmful and should not be used.”
- “The mechanic said the car needs a new tranny.”
- “Some media outlets once used tranny in headlines, but it’s now considered unacceptable.”
Common Collocations
- (derogatory, people-related) tranny porn, tranny bar, tranny joke (all offensive)
- (mechanical, neutral) car tranny, truck tranny, manual tranny, automatic tranny
Idiomatic / Figurative Usage
- As a slur, tranny has no idiomatic use; it is simply offensive.
- In mechanics, it appears figuratively in auto culture talk: “blow a tranny” (slang for transmission failure).
Synonyms
(offensive, people-related) slur for trans person, chick with dick (derogatory)
(respectful alternatives) transgender person, trans woman, trans man
(mechanical) transmission, gearbox
Antonyms
cisgender person (for people context), engine (as a different car part)
Related Terms
- Transgender (respectful identity term)
- Transphobia (prejudice tied to words like tranny)
- Transmission (mechanical context)
- Slur (category of offensive language)
Connection to Sexuality
Yes, but only in a negative and stigmatized way. In sexual contexts, tranny is often used in pornography to fetishize transgender women, which many consider degrading. It is not a neutral word for gender or sexuality and should not be used in respectful conversation. In contrast, in mechanical slang (car tranny), it has no connection to sexuality at all.
Sample Sentences
- “She felt hurt when someone called her a tranny.” (offensive, avoid)
- “The activist explained why the word tranny should not be used.”
- “My old car’s tranny finally gave out, so I need a new one.” (mechanical context)
Sexopedia.co is an educational glossary of sexual and gender-related terms—helping you improve your English while deepening your understanding of identity, language, and self-expression.