misgender: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Academic, Journalistic, LGBTQ+ contexts
Quick answer
What does “misgender” mean?
To refer to a person using a word, especially a pronoun or form of address, that does not correctly reflect their gender identity.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To refer to a person using a word, especially a pronoun or form of address, that does not correctly reflect their gender identity.
To incorrectly or inappropriately assign a gender to someone, often causing offense or distress. It can also refer to the systematic or institutional misclassification of gender.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is virtually identical in both varieties. The term originated and is used most prominently in American English academic and activist circles, but is now fully established in British English.
Connotations
Carries strong negative connotations of disrespect and invalidation in both varieties. In anti-trans discourse, it may be used pejoratively to mock the concept itself.
Frequency
More frequent in American English due to the earlier prominence of related academic discourse. Frequency is rising sharply in British English in media and institutional language.
Grammar
How to Use “misgender” in a Sentence
[Subject] misgenders [Object (person)][Subject] was misgendered by [Agent]It is harmful to misgender [Object]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “misgender” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The article unfortunately misgendered the athlete throughout.
- It's considered a serious breach of conduct to deliberately misgender a colleague.
American English
- The talk show host apologized after he misgendered his guest.
- School policies aim to protect students from being misgendered by staff.
adjective
British English
- The misgendering incident was addressed in a formal meeting.
- She received an apology for the misgendering language used in the report.
American English
- The misgendering comment sparked outrage online.
- He filed a complaint about the misgendering behavior.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Relevant in HR policies and diversity training regarding respectful communication with colleagues and clients.
Academic
Central term in gender studies, sociology, and linguistics when discussing identity, discourse, and power.
Everyday
Used in discussions of personal experiences, media representation, and social etiquette within LGBTQ+ communities and allies.
Technical
Used in legal and medical contexts regarding accurate identification and anti-discrimination protocols.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “misgender”
- Using it intransitively (e.g., 'He misgendered.'). It requires an object. Confusing it with 'misogyny' (hatred of women). Using it to mean simply 'not knowing' someone's gender, rather than the act of incorrect reference after the information is available or should be assumed.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be accidental. However, the impact can still be hurtful, and the expectation is to apologise, correct oneself, and try not to repeat the mistake.
The most common noun forms are 'misgendering' (the act or instance) and less frequently 'misgenderment'.
Technically, yes, if you refer to a cisgender man as 'she', for example. However, the term is most powerfully and commonly used in the context of transgender and non-binary people, where it connects to systemic invalidation.
Best practice is to offer a brief, sincere apology (e.g., 'Sorry, I meant [correct pronoun]'), correct yourself, and continue the conversation without making a prolonged fuss that centres your own feelings.
To refer to a person using a word, especially a pronoun or form of address, that does not correctly reflect their gender identity.
Misgender is usually formal, academic, journalistic, lgbtq+ contexts in register.
Misgender: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈdʒɛndə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmɪsˈdʒɛndər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
MIS-GENDER: Think 'MIS-take' about someone's 'GENDER'. It's a mistake in gendering someone.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENDER IDENTITY IS A FACT; to misgender is to STATE A FALSE FACT / ERASE SOMEONE'S REALITY.
Practice
Quiz
What does the verb 'to misgender' primarily describe?