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Gender Jargon: A Not-Boring Guide to Gender Language

This is not an all-inclusive list of terminology. This is meant to better understand the terms used on this site and in conversations surrounding gender theory, gender studies, and sociology. New terms will be added along the way!

Note: Some of these terms have been paraphrased and some come directly from the source material. Please see the references for more information. Most notably, The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center from Michigan State University and Gender recognition and lived name (GRLN)-related terms by University of California, Davis: Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.


Gender Terms


Agender- (ay-jen-dr)- A gender identity term for a person without or without the feeling of gender. (related to: gender non-conforming, gender neutral)


Ally: a person who does not identify with a gender or sexuality minority identity/role, but is informed and supports the rights and inclusions of all regardless of gender/sex/sexuality


Cisgender- (sis-jen-dr)- A gender identity term for individuals whose gender identity aligns with the gender identity assumed based on their birth-assigned sex. Abbreviated to “cis”. (The Gender and Sexuality Campus Center (GSCC), n.d.)


Cis-man - a man who was assigned male at birth and identifies as a man


Cis-woman - a woman who was assigned female at birth and identifies as a woman


Context matters: A deeper definition. Cisgender (sis-jen-dr) First coined in 1994 by University of Minnesota biology researcher Dana Defosse, Ph.D., MPH, the term “cisgender” was later added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2015. “Cis” is a Latin prefix to mean “on this side of”. The term is rooted in chemistry as a way to describe and differentiate molecules that have the exact same molecular formula but have a distinct shape and properties—i.e. two molecules that are “technically” the same but behave and look different from one another. A “cis” molecule has groupings on the same side, while a “trans” molecule is on the “opposite” side or has transitioned or “crossed.” The purpose of the creation and use of this term was to find a way to describe the “typical” gender identity in relation to a transgender identity that has “transitioned” to a gender identity/expression other than the “default” or “expected” gender per social, cultural expectations. The goal was to avoid further discrimination “othering” of this population while discussing the health of transgender adolescents. Choosing to borrow language from scientific terminology, with input from the LGBT community, the term was meant to be as “bias-free” as possible. However, in a polarized political climate, the term has faced backlash and has been interpreted as negative or as an attempt to “other” the “typical” experience—exactly the OPPOSITE of Defosse’s intention in her graduate school writings.
Context Matters: A Deeper Definition of "Cisgender"

Deadname: a name that someone no longer uses in their daily life to self-identify. This may be a legal name or the name that was given to be put on government or legal documentation.


Deadnaming: The use of someone's former name without the person's consent. In the trans community, deadnaming specifically refers to the harmful, accidental, or intentional dismissal, denial, or rejection of a person's gender identity by use of a name other than their Lived Name


Femininity – A set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with girls and women, which may be expressed an interpreted socially/culturally. Performing femininity in a culturally established way is expected of people assigned female-at-birth. 


Gender Binary – A socially constructed idea that places gender into two opposite or distinct categories; there are only masculine men assigned male at birth and feminine women assigned female at birth. This term also assumes heterosexuality and heteronormativity are the default. Assuming and behaving on this assumption is not evidence-based. Evidence in many areas of science support gender as fluid and on a spectrum.


Gender Expression – The way in which someone expresses their gender, either consciously or unconsciously. This can encompass everything that communicates our gender to others, including clothing, hairstyle, body language, manner of speaking, social interactions, and gender roles. Most people have some blend of masculine and feminine qualities that comprise their gender expression, and this expression can also vary depending on the social context. There is not always a direct translation between gender identity and gender expression. A person’s gender expression may or may not align with the way people attribute gender to that person.


Gender Roles – A set of social and behavioral norms that are considered appropriate for particular genders. Gender roles change across time, space, culture, region, and context. When viewed in Western culture, gender roles are expressed within the gender binary system.


Heteronormative/heteronormativity- the assumption and behavioral practice that all people are heterosexual (i.e. homosexuality is “other” or “out of the ordinary”). This may include the idea that heterosexuality is “correct” or the “better choice.” This belief may contribute to violence and harm toward homosexual, queer, bisexual, etc… persons and relationships.

Intersex: The state of being born with the condition of having neither clearly male nor female physical sex markers (genitals, hormones, gonads, or chromosomes). Intersex people are sometimes defined as having “ambiguous” genitalia. Many intersex person’s are not aware of their sex until variations of puberty occur or when exploring medical infertility.


Legal Transition – the process of changing how one’s gender is represented on legal documents, inclusive of one’s birth certificate, driver’s license, social security, insurance, and/or passport. Many countries and US states have legal barriers that make it expensive and difficult for trans people to legally transition.


Lived name: sometimes also called “preferred name”. This is the name that someone chooses to use instead of their legal name or name given to them at birth. This can include a variation of their legal name like a nickname (i.e. Josh instead of Joshua or Betty instead of Rebecca), an alternate spelling (i.e. Erin v. Aaron or Jesse versus Jessi), or can be a completely different name.


Masculinity – A socially constructed set of attributes, behaviors, and roles associated with boys and men, which may be expressed and embodied by people regardless of their gender or birth-assigned sex. Performing masculinity in a culturally established way is expected of people assigned-male-at-birth.

 

Misgendering: Attributing a gender to someone that is incorrect/does not align with their gender identity. Can occur when using pronouns, gendered language (i.e., “Hello ladies!” “Hey guys”), or assigning genders to people without knowing how they identify.


Medical Transition – a medical transition may include hormones and/or surgeries


Social Transition – a social transition includes transition from one gender to another by changing mannerisms, dress, hair, pronouns, name, and a variety of other means. A social transition involves elements of a transition that are not necessarily medical or legal.


Transitioning – The process in which a trans or nonbinary person begins to live as their gender identity. It may include changing one’s name, taking hormones, having surgery, and/or altering legal documents. Transitioning means very different things to different people. There is no right way to transition, and each trans person has their own path. See social transition, medical transition, and legal transition.


This glossary of terms is a constant work in progress. Last update on July 3, 2025.

 
 
 

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