transsexual
adjective
trans·sex·u·al
(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wəl 
-shəl
variants
or less commonly transexual
dated, often offensive
: transgender : of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is opposite the sex the person was identified as having at birth
Note: Transsexual is a dated term that is sometimes used in self-reference but that may give offense when used by others. The term transgender is preferred.
transsexual
noun
or less commonly transexual
dated, often offensive
transsexualism
(ˌ)tran(t)s-ˈsek-sh(ə-)wə-ˌli-zəm
noun
-shə-ˌli-
or less commonly transexualism
dated Examples of transsexual in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
So this character, whether explicitly trans or not, is coded as a transsexual, transvestite.
—
Marley Gotterer, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people were incarcerated and killed by the Nazis — a fate only publicly recognized decades after WWII.
—Dallas News, 27 Jan. 2023
The drastic proposal to reclassify prizes aligns with the media’s transsexual agenda.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Jan. 2023
A week and a half before our interview, Gentili and I found ourselves at the wedding ceremony of two mutual friends (the transsexual wedding of the century, honestly) held on the outdoor dance floor at the Ridgewood club Nowadays.
—Harron Walker, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for transsexual
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Marley Gotterer, Them., 18 Sep. 2025
Thousands of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transsexual people were incarcerated and killed by the Nazis — a fate only publicly recognized decades after WWII.
—Dallas News, 27 Jan. 2023
The drastic proposal to reclassify prizes aligns with the media’s transsexual agenda.
—Armond White, National Review, 4 Jan. 2023
A week and a half before our interview, Gentili and I found ourselves at the wedding ceremony of two mutual friends (the transsexual wedding of the century, honestly) held on the outdoor dance floor at the Ridgewood club Nowadays.
—Harron Walker, Vulture, 3 Nov. 2022
See All Example Sentences for transsexual
Cite this Entry
“Transsexual.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transsexual. Accessed 4 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
transsexual
adjective
trans·sex·u·al
variants
also transexual
dated, often offensive
: transgender : of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity is opposite the sex the person was identified as having at birth
Note: Transsexual is a dated term that may be used in self-reference but should be avoided by others. Use transgender instead.
transsexual
noun
also transexual
transsexuality
noun
also transexuality
plural transsexualities also transexualities
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