transvestite

noun

trans·​ves·​tite tran(t)s-ˈve-ˌstīt 

tranz-

plural transvestites

dated, often offensive

: a person who wears clothes designed for the opposite sex : a cross-dresser

transvestism

tran(t)s-ˈve-ˌsti-zəm 

noun

or less commonly transvestitism

tran(t)s-ˈve-ˌsti-ˌti-zəm 

dated, often offensive

transvestite adjective dated, often offensive

Examples of transvestite in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

As Earthlings mourn the loss of this out-of-this-world personality, his Rocky Horror costars are paying tribute to the sparkly-eyed, sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania. — Daysia Tolentino, Entertainment Weekly, 26 Aug. 2026

On Washington Avenue, the H & M Stein Deli and Kosher Restaurant is next to the Tijuana Cat, a Cuban club for transvestites and gays that features a drag queen contest at midnight. — Miami Herald Archives, Miami Herald, 27 Feb. 2026

So this character, whether explicitly trans or not, is coded as a transsexual, transvestite. — Marley Gotterer, Them., 18 Sep. 2025

Both pieces were inspired by rumors that Williams ended their affair upon learning Chandler was a transvestite. — Jordan Riefe, The Hollywood Reporter, 16 Jan. 2023

When a fairground sets up outside her window in a Southern Italian town 15-year-old Benedetta meets Armando, aka Amanda, a young transvestite who runs the carousel and sells drugs. — Nick Vivarelli, Variety, 13 Feb. 2022

Porter in his work always flaunts the transvestite and transsexual issues that now preoccupy woke Hollywood. — Armond White, National Review, 15 Sep. 2021

Both Moore and Moxley were cast as modern-day incarnations of the late transvestite (terminology used then) and gay activist. — Roxanne Robinson, Forbes, 21 June 2021

The show pulls heavily from the run of psychedelic writer Grant Morrison, such as including Danny the Street, a sentient, transvestite stretch of roadway. — Trevor Fraser, orlandosentinel.com, 11 Aug. 2020

Word History

Etymology

German Transvestit, from Latin trans- + vestire to clothe — more at vest entry 2

First Known Use

1911, in the meaning defined above