Definition

1. Noun:
   • A person who wears clothing and adopts the mannerisms typically associated with the opposite sex: A cross-dresser is someone who, for various reasons, wears clothes and may adopt behaviors conventionally associated with a gender different from their own. This is often a form of personal expression and is not necessarily linked to sexual orientation or gender identity.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The character in the film is a cross-dresser who performs in a cabaret.
  • He is a cross-dresser and enjoys expressing a different side of his personality through fashion.
  • Understanding the difference between a cross-dresser and a transgender person is important.

Advanced Usage

• "to cross-dress" (verb): The act of wearing clothes of the opposite sex.
  • He occasionally likes to cross-dress for private events.
• "cross-dressing" (noun or gerund): The practice or instance of wearing clothes of the opposite sex.
  • Cross-dressing has a long history in theatrical performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Transvestite (n): A dated and often clinical term for a cross-dresser, particularly one who does so for emotional or sexual gratification. Note: "Cross-dresser" is generally the preferred modern term.
• Gender non-conforming (adj): Describing a person whose appearance or behavior does not align with societal expectations for their assigned gender. Cross-dressing can be one form of gender non-conformity.

Synonyms

• Transvestite: (See note above regarding usage).
• Drag performer/artist: A person who cross-dresses, often in an exaggerated way, for entertainment purposes (e.g., drag kings and drag queens).

Related Phrases

• In drag: Dressed in the clothing of the opposite sex, especially for performance.
  • The comedian performed in drag for the charity show.

Important Notes

• Cross-dresser vs. Transgender: A cross-dresser typically identifies with the gender they were assigned at birth but enjoys wearing the clothing of another gender. A transgender person has a gender identity that differs from their sex assigned at birth. These are distinct concepts.
• Motivation: Cross-dressing can be motivated by many factors, including personal comfort, artistic expression, erotic pleasure, or as part of a cultural or theatrical tradition.

Noun

1. someone who adopts the dress or manner or sexual role of the opposite sex