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
An older term for crossdresser is transvestite. Crossdressers often dress only in certain situations. They do not usually identify as transgender—most identify as straight men.—
Laura Erickson-Schroth
Laura Erickson-Schroth
transvestism
noun
or less commonly transvestitism
dated, often offensive
transvestite
adjective
dated, often offensive
Examples of transvestite in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
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
More than half of those were against transvestite, transsexual and transgender women, according to the National Observatory of LGBT Hate Crimes.
—NBC News, 20 Mar. 2020
First, Johnson and Rivera were transvestites, not transgender (a term that appeared only later).
—Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 5 July 2019
In the '80s, Hunter experienced a strange career revival of sorts when the eccentric indie filmmaker John Waters cast him in a couple of projects opposite the transvestite performer Divine, and the films became cult classics.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2018
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.
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
More than half of those were against transvestite, transsexual and transgender women, according to the National Observatory of LGBT Hate Crimes.
—NBC News, 20 Mar. 2020
First, Johnson and Rivera were transvestites, not transgender (a term that appeared only later).
—Madeleine Kearns, National Review, 5 July 2019
In the '80s, Hunter experienced a strange career revival of sorts when the eccentric indie filmmaker John Waters cast him in a couple of projects opposite the transvestite performer Divine, and the films became cult classics.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 July 2018
Cite this Entry
“Transvestite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/transvestite. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share