cross-dressing
noun
cross-dress·ing
ˈkrȯs-ˌdre-siŋ 
: the wearing of clothes designed for the opposite sex
Examples of cross-dressing in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Several drag queens attended in protest against Trump’s complaints that the Kennedy Center had hosted too many shows featuring cross-dressing in the past.
—
Dave Goldiner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
The Forgotten Gender Nonconformists of the Old West Livia Gershon
April 27, 2018
In the Old West, cross-dressing was sometimes a disguise for criminals on the lam.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
The Catholic Church opposed cross-dressing in laws, liturgical meetings and other writings.
—Sarah Barringer, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Other fans questioned whether the cross-dressing Pleakley character was rejected to make the film more appealing to a mainstream audience.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 22 May 2025
Well, now Trump is being accused of hypocrisy because the upcoming season at the Kennedy Center does include drag, or at least cross-dressing.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 May 2025
From criminal cross-dressing laws, to bans on open military service, to explicit exclusions from protection under civil rights statutes, the government has systematically sanctioned discrimination against transgender people for being transgender going back decades.
—Chase Strangio, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
Beyond the Halloween convention, people who liked to cross-dress often visited the house on weekends and holidays, and were welcome to take all of their meals there, or help with the gardening.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 6 June 2024
And Chiara’s cross-dressing sparks an homage to Marcello’s most romantic film, Visconti’s White Nights, this time rescuing a suicidal gay soldier.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Dave Goldiner, Chicago Tribune, 12 June 2025
The Forgotten Gender Nonconformists of the Old West Livia Gershon
April 27, 2018
In the Old West, cross-dressing was sometimes a disguise for criminals on the lam.
—The Editors, JSTOR Daily, 30 May 2025
The Catholic Church opposed cross-dressing in laws, liturgical meetings and other writings.
—Sarah Barringer, The Conversation, 27 May 2025
Other fans questioned whether the cross-dressing Pleakley character was rejected to make the film more appealing to a mainstream audience.
—Olivia B. Waxman, Time, 22 May 2025
Well, now Trump is being accused of hypocrisy because the upcoming season at the Kennedy Center does include drag, or at least cross-dressing.
—Abigail Anthony, National Review, 21 May 2025
From criminal cross-dressing laws, to bans on open military service, to explicit exclusions from protection under civil rights statutes, the government has systematically sanctioned discrimination against transgender people for being transgender going back decades.
—Chase Strangio, Time, 31 Mar. 2025
Beyond the Halloween convention, people who liked to cross-dress often visited the house on weekends and holidays, and were welcome to take all of their meals there, or help with the gardening.
—Olivia B. Waxman, TIME, 6 June 2024
And Chiara’s cross-dressing sparks an homage to Marcello’s most romantic film, Visconti’s White Nights, this time rescuing a suicidal gay soldier.
—Armond White, National Review, 14 Feb. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Cross-dressing.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cross-dressing. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share