tranny
tranny Lexical Profile
tranny Game Scores & Validity
• noun
(slang, derogatory, offensive) A transgender person, transsexual, or transvestite.
"The organization updated its editorial style guide to prohibit the use of slurs such as tranny in any published articles."
North American (informal, automotive slang) A motor vehicle's transmission or gearbox.
"The mechanic said the old pickup truck needs a rebuilt tranny before it can haul heavy loads again."
British (informal, dated) A portable transistor radio, or an electronic transistor or transformer.
"In the 1960s, teenagers often listened to pop music stations on a portable tranny at the beach."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to a transgender person or transvestite, this term is widely regarded as a derogatory slur and should be avoided in polite or neutral discourse. In contrast, its homonymous informal uses in automotive mechanics (for 'transmission') and electronics (for 'transistor') are strictly non-offensive jargon.
• Rhymes for tranny
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in the mid-20th century by clipping various words beginning with 'trans-' (such as 'transmission', 'transistor', 'transvestite', and 'transsexual') and adding the informal diminutive suffix '-y'.