Word

transphobia

noun C1

UK /trænzˈfəʊbiə/

US /trænzˈfoʊbiə/

Meanings

noun

prejudice, fear, or hostility toward transgender people

noun

discrimination or unfair treatment of transgender people in social settings or institutions

Definition

Transphobia is prejudice, fear, or hostility toward transgender people.

Transphobia refers to negative attitudes or discrimination directed at transgender people or those perceived as transgender. It can show up in personal behavior (like insults or avoidance) and in institutions (like unfair rules or exclusion). The word is used to describe both explicit hostility and subtler forms of bias.

Examples

The workshop addressed transphobia by examining how casual jokes can normalize exclusion.
She challenged transphobia in her department by insisting on respectful language in meetings.
They documented transphobia in the comment section and reported the most abusive posts to the moderators.
I recognized transphobia in my own assumptions and worked to unlearn them through better listening.
He wrote a careful essay on how transphobia can shape hiring decisions even without explicit rules.

Common mistake

Learners often use transphobia to mean only "fear," but it commonly refers to prejudice or discrimination, not a clinical phobia.