cisgender
cisgender
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "cisgender" is /sɪsˈdʒɛndər/.
cis-: /sɪs/ - The "s" sound as in "sit," the short "i" sound as in "is," and the "s" sound as in "hiss."
-gen-: /dʒɛn/ - The "j" sound as in "jump," the short "e" sound as in "get," and the "n" sound as in "no."
-der: /dər/ - The "d" sound as in "dog," followed by the "er" sound as in "her."
Word Form Variations
Singular (noun): cisgender, cisgender person, cis
Plural (noun): cisgenders, cisgender people, cises
Adjective: cisgender, cis
Adverb: cisgenderly
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective
Definition 1: Describing a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Synonyms: non-transgender
Antonyms: transgender, trans
Noun
Definition 1: A person whose gender identity corresponds to the sex they were assigned at birth.
Synonyms: cis person, non-trans person
Antonyms: transgender person, trans person
Examples of Use
In Books and Online Publications:
"The novel explores the experiences of a transgender protagonist navigating a world that often treats their transgender identity as an anomaly, contrasting their journey with the unexamined lives of their cisgender friends."
"In a 2022 article on health disparities, a reporter noted, 'More than half of all those school board members identified as cisgender gay men...'" (Merriam-Webster, November 2022)
A cisgender author might use the term to describe their own identity in a piece of nonfiction writing. In a memoir, one could write, "As a cisgender woman, I have never had to contend with the societal barriers my transgender friends face regarding bathrooms and legal documents."
In Newspapers and General Media:
An article about sports controversies might say, "The lawsuit was filed by the families of cisgender girls who argued that transgender athletes had an unfair physical advantage." (San Francisco Chronicle, May 2021)
A cultural critic might write about casting in film, arguing, "The practice of having cisgender actors play transgender roles has been criticized for misrepresenting trans experiences." (Merriam-Webster, April 2025)
In discussions about diversity, a headline might read, "Corporate board rooms and leadership are overwhelmingly straight and cisgender." (NBC News, February 2023)
In Entertainment and Public Discourse:
In a television show, a character might use the term when discussing their identity, for example, "I'm a cisgender woman, but I'm also a feminist who believes in fighting for the rights of all women, including trans women."
A comedian might use the term in a stand-up routine to make a point about privilege, saying, "I just found out I'm cisgender. All this time I thought I was just 'a guy,' but turns out I'm part of a group with a specific name and a specific set of privileges. Who knew?"
Public health campaigns often use the term in their educational materials. A campaign might state, "Data shows that rates of certain health conditions differ between cisgender and transgender populations."
10 Famous Quotes Using Cisgender
"The transgender movement has taken a similar approach to confronting transphobia, by encouraging cisgender people to become comfortable with their own expressions of femininity and/or masculinity in order to be respectful of those expressions in others." - Julia Serano, Whipping Girl (2007)
"Trans folks are often expected to embrace a narrative that makes cisgender people comfortable—something simple and linear that upholds their binary understanding of gender transition." - Zena Sharman, The Care We Dream Of
"The small group of clinicians who wrote the first Standards of Care were all cisgender." - The New York Times (June 2022)
"The culture was overwhelmingly white, cisgender, and male, and the work was exhausting." - Sara B. Franklin, Bon Appétit (May 2021)
"If so, Texas will become the 10th state to ban trans student-athletes from competing with cisgender kids." - Dawn Ennis, Forbes (October 2021)
"Elliot Page coming out as trans isn't about cisgender people at all." - Elly Belle, Refinery29 (December 2020)
"This is not an issue for heterosexual, cisgender couples." - Jennifer Brookland, Detroit Free Press (February 2023)
"Proponents contended that the measure was necessary to protect the rights of cisgender girls and women in school sports." - NBC News (April 2022)
"Being a cisgender white male, there has never been much of a threat to my bodily autonomy." - Melissa Matthews, SELF (August 2022)
"Underwear designed for cisgender women may have lace or satin that hug the hips." - Laken Brooks, Forbes (December 2021)
Etymology
The word "cisgender" is a relatively new term, created in the early 1990s by a German sexologist named Volkmar Sigusch. It was introduced as a way to create a parallel term to "transgender."
The word is formed by combining the Latin prefix "cis-" with the word "gender".
"Cis-" is a Latin prefix meaning "on the same side as," "on this side of," or "not beyond." Think of it as the opposite of the prefix "trans-", which means "across from," "on the other side of," or "beyond." For example, in chemistry, cis- and trans- isomers describe molecules with groups on the same or opposite sides. Similarly, in ancient Rome, Cisalpine Gaul was on the "near side" of the Alps, while Transalpine Gaul was on the "far side."
"Gender" refers to a person's internal sense of self as male, female, or something else.
So, when you put them together, "cisgender" literally means "on the same side of gender," or more specifically, a person whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. The word was created to provide a neutral and specific term for this experience, rather than simply referring to people as "non-transgender" or assuming that their experience is the default or "normal" one.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Cisgender
Cisgender privilege: The unearned advantages and societal benefits that a person receives solely because their gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth.
Cisgender lens: A perspective or viewpoint that assumes a person's gender identity will always match their assigned sex.
Cisgender ally: A person who supports and advocates for the rights and well-being of transgender and gender-nonconforming individuals.
Cisgender-normative: Describing a social or cultural system that assumes everyone is cisgender and enforces this idea as the standard.
The cisgender experience: A phrase used to discuss the unique challenges, privileges, and perspectives of people who are not transgender.
A cisgender world: A term used to describe a society or environment where transgender identities are not fully recognized, understood, or accepted.
Cisgender-exclusive space: A setting or group that does not include transgender people, often unintentionally.
Cisgender-inclusive language: Wording that is sensitive and respectful to both cisgender and transgender people.
Cisgender-passing: Not a commonly used term, but it could be used to describe someone who is perceived by others as cisgender.
Cisgender-majority: Describing a group or population in which cisgender people make up the majority.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of cisgender from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
