# transsexual

/tɹænˈsɛkʃjuəɫ/ (US) · /tɹænsˈɛkʃuːəl/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/transsexual
Updated: 2026-05-18

## Definition

a person whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth. This word is less common now, and many people prefer the term 'transgender'.

For teachers: a person whose gender identity differs from the sex assigned to them at birth. Historically used in medical and legal contexts, it has largely been replaced by 'transgender' in contemporary discourse.

## Examples

- The transsexual community has made significant progress in recent decades.
- The documentary explores the life of a transsexual who transitioned in the 1970s and faced significant social challenges.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the transsexual is" but "the transgender person is" — The term is considered archaic and potentially offensive by many in the current community; 'transgender' is the preferred modern term.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.