gender nonconforming

adjective

variants or less commonly gender-nonconforming
: exhibiting behavioral, cultural, or psychological traits that do not correspond with the traits typically associated with one's sex : having a gender expression that does not conform to gender norms
A bill before the Legislature would amend the law to protect transgender and gender nonconforming people from discrimination in public spaces, such as hospitals, coffee shops, and retail stores.Tom Bourdon
gender nonconformity noun
Gender identity refers to an individual's internalized psychological experience of being male or female, whereas gender nonconformity refers to the degree to which an individual's appearance, behavior, interests, and subjective self-concept deviate from conventional norms for masculinity/femininity. Lisa M. Diamond et al.

Examples of gender nonconforming in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web By appearing deliberately gender nonconforming, butch women and people are seen to be rejecting traditional forms of femininity. Sadhbh O'Sullivan, refinery29.com, 26 Feb. 2024 Coalition, which provides services to transgender, gender nonconforming and intersex people, was targeted by multiple bomb threats this year. Rebecca Ellis, Los Angeles Times, 19 June 2024 The company is composed of 50% Black, brown or Native employees, 50% LGBTQ women, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, trans individuals, and 20% first-generation immigrant employees, according to its website. Jaimie Ding, Los Angeles Times, 14 June 2023 In terms of gender identity, 0.8% of respondents identified as transgender; 1.3% percent as nonbinary, gender nonconforming or gender fluid; and 0.7% did not identify with any of these categories but also did not identify as male or female. Julie Moreau, NBC News, 1 June 2023 For the 2023 edition, Bentonville has programmed over 75 percent of its competitive section with films by directors who are female or gender nonconforming, and 60 percent of the lineup is by those who identify as BIPOC, Asian or Pacific Islander. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 9 May 2023 This term is not synonymous with agender or gender nonconforming. Lauren McGaughy, Dallas News, 22 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'gender nonconforming.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1983, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of gender nonconforming was in 1983

Dictionary Entries Near gender nonconforming

Cite this Entry

“Gender nonconforming.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gender%20nonconforming. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Definition revised
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