tranny
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
All are shortened forms of the indicated terms + -y.
Pronunciation
- (US) enPR: trăʹni IPA(key): /ˈtɹæ.ni/
- (US, /æ/ tensing) IPA(key): /ˈtɹeə.ni/
Audio (US): (file) Audio (General Australian): (file) - Rhymes: -æni
- Hyphenation: tran‧ny
Noun
tranny (countable and uncountable, plural trannies)
- (slang, chiefly derogatory, offensive) A transgender person, especially a trans woman.
- 2018, Roddie Lee Kingsfield, M.Ed., Purple Passionflower: The Path to Becoming a Powerful Trans Peace Warrior, page 56:
- When I spoke with lesbians, most would tell me, “I don't date trannies. […]
- (colloquial, Commonwealth) A transistor radio.
- 1995, Paul Vautin, Turn It Up!, Sydney: Pan Macmillan Australia, page 135:
- He spent most of his time in his darkened storeroom with a tranny and an earplug while his kid ran riot in the classroom.
- 2012, Dave Thompson, To Major Tom:
- We talk, and I listen to Radio Luxembourg on my tranny – I have a little earplug, so if any teachers come in they won't hear it.
- (colloquial, automotive) A vehicle's transmission.
- 2012, Phil Edmonston, Lemon-Aid Used Cars and Trucks 2012–2013:
- Other incidents where the tranny suddenly locks up in high gear and requires that the car be restarted to return to normal.
- (colloquial) An electrical transformer.
- (slang, skateboarding, countable) A transition between moves.
- (slang, skateboarding, uncountable) A style of skateboarding based on transitioning from one move to the next.
- (Northern England, slang) A Ford Transit (type of van).
- 2014, Sally Wainwright, 1:49 from the start, in Happy Valley, season 1, episode 3, spoken by Kirsten McAskill (Sophie Rundle):
- Oooh! Gotta go. Jenson Button's just streaked past in a white tranny. I think he's trying to smash the land speed record, bless him. And he's got a tail-light out. I think I might give him a tug.
Usage notes
- The sense referring to a trans person is among the most offensive terms for a trans person in English. It is used especially in pornography, and of trans women. Trans people occasionally reclaim tranny.
Derived terms
trans person
Translations
(colloquial, derogatory) a transsexual, transgender or transvestite person
|
electrical transformer
|