transvestite

IPA/trænzˈvestaɪt/
KK[trænzvˈɛstaɪt]IPA/trænzˈvestaɪt/

transvestite — noun

  • transvestitesingular
  • transvestitesplural

1. a word that is now considered deeply offensive, used to describe someone whose w

1.nounB2
Definition

a word that is now considered deeply offensive, used to describe someone whose way of dressing does not match what society expects of their sex, most often a man who wears women's clothes, makeup, and jewelry

Example

Feng was upset that the newspaper used the word "transvestite" to describe the performer.

metalinguistic use — quotes the offensive term

Zuri told her class that "transvestite" is outdated and "cross-dresser" is now preferred.

preferred alternative term: cross-dresser

Common collocations
  • outdated term
  • offensive label
  • described as a transvestite
  • use the word 'transvestite'
  • the term 'transvestite'
Synonyms
  • cross-dresser

    neutral and preferred term; describes someone who wears clothing of a different gender without the negative connotation

  • drag queen

    refers specifically to men who dress in exaggerated women's clothing for performance or entertainment, not the same as daily cross-dressing

  • transgender person

    a broader and unrelated term; refers to someone whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth, not their clothing choices

Grammar Patterns

countable noun

Usage Note

This word is now widely considered offensive and outdated. The neutral terms 'cross-dresser' or 'person who cross-dresses' are preferred in modern English. Avoid using 'transvestite' unless directly quoting a historical source or discussing the term itself.

Common Mistakes

The performer at the show was a transvestite.
The performer at the show was a cross-dresser.
'transvestite' is offensive; use 'cross-dresser' as a neutral alternative.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

The word 'transvestite' is best understood in contrast to three other terms. 'Cross-dresser' is the neutral, preferred alternative — it describes anyone who wears clothing associated with a different gender, without judgment or clinical overtones. 'Drag queen' is narrower: it refers specifically to a man (usually a performer) who wears exaggerated women's clothing for entertainment, often as part of a stage persona. 'Transgender person' is a separate category altogether — it relates to gender identity, not clothing choices, and using 'transvestite' to describe a transgender person would be both inaccurate and highly offensive. In modern usage, if the context is about clothing rather than identity, 'cross-dresser' is the safest and most respectful choice.

cross-dresser ↗drag queentransgender person

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • the term 'transvestite'
  • referred to as a transvestite

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinGermanEnglish

The word comes from Latin 'trans-' meaning 'across' and 'vestire' meaning 'to dress.' It was first used in the early 1900s by the German doctor Magnus Hirschfeld, who created the German word 'Transvestit' as a medical term for people who wore clothing of a different gender. By the late 20th century, the word was seen as outdated and hurtful, and most people now prefer 'cross-dresser' instead.