Definition & Meaning
- Transsexual (adjective/noun): A term historically used for people whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, and who often seek medical interventions (such as hormone therapy or surgery) to align their physical body with their gender identity.
- Today, the word is considered outdated and sometimes offensive, with “transgender” being the preferred, respectful term. However, some individuals still self-identify as transsexual.
Etymology: From trans- (“across, beyond”) + sexual, reflecting crossing from one sex category to another.
Pronunciation
- /ˌtrænˈsɛkʃuəl/ or /ˌtrænˈsɛkʃuːəl/
- Sounds like tran-SEK-shoo-uhl.
Grammatical Formation
- Adjective: transsexual (e.g., “a transsexual woman”).
- Noun: transsexual (e.g., “He is a transsexual.”).
- Plural: transsexuals.
- Note: Modern usage favors transgender over transsexual.
Word Comparisons
- Transsexual vs. Transgender: Transgender is broader and includes anyone whose gender identity differs from birth sex; transsexual specifically refers to those who medically transition.
- Transsexual vs. Cisgender: Transsexual means gender identity differs and has often been medically affirmed; cisgender means gender identity matches assigned sex.
- Transsexual vs. Intersex: Transsexual relates to gender identity and transition; intersex relates to biological variations in sex characteristics.
Prepositional Usage
- Transsexual in: “She was a pioneering transsexual in politics.”
- Transsexual with: “He is a transsexual man with a supportive community.”
- Transsexual for: “The term ‘transsexual’ was common for decades as a label for gender transition.”
Real-Life Examples
- “In the 1960s, the word transsexual was widely used in medical research.”
- “Some people still proudly identify as transsexual, though others find the term outdated.”
- “Healthcare for transsexual individuals was once extremely limited.”
Common Collocations
- transsexual woman
- transsexual man
- transsexual surgery (outdated; now called gender-affirming surgery)
- transsexual identity
- transsexual community
Idiomatic / Figurative Usage
There are no widely recognized idioms using transsexual. It has been mostly used as a descriptive or medical term, though it often appears in discussions about rights, health, or identity.
Synonyms
(outdated or overlapping) trans person, transgender person, transitioned person
(older medical) sex-changed, gender reassigned (now replaced by gender-affirming)
Antonyms
cisgender person, non-trans person
Related Terms
- Transgender (preferred modern term)
- Gender identity (internal sense of gender)
- Transition (process of aligning identity and body)
- Gender-affirming care (medical and social support for transition)
- Cisgender (opposite of transgender)
Connection to Sexuality
No direct connection. Transsexuality relates to gender identity, not sexual orientation.
- A transsexual person can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual, etc.
- The confusion between sexual orientation and gender identity is common, but they are separate concepts.
Sample Sentences
- “In medical literature of the 1970s, the term transsexual was standard.”
- “She identified as a transsexual woman and fought for gender rights.”
- “Modern activists encourage replacing transsexual with ‘transgender.’”
- “Healthcare reforms improved access for transsexual individuals seeking surgery.”
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.