shemale

USAGE SUMMARY

The word shemale is considered outdated and offensive by many people, particularly in the transgender community, so it should be avoided in written English.
It is generally viewed as an offensive and demeaning term and should not be used. An example of its incorrect usage would be: "The shemale walked into the room."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Arts

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Their special language — "shemale," "pre-op" — made them a nerd species, too, Kromer understood.

The New Yorker

Only a historian of linguistics can judge, but I imagine that speeches such as "I'll give you the smoothest an' th' nicest rubbin' job that any shemale ever got since Jesus quit paintin' little red wagons" may not be everyone's idea of sharecropper reality.

The Guardian - Books

The News Corp tabloid referred to the victim – who is thought to have been killed and dismembered by her husband – as a shemale, a prostitute and a hooker wife.

The Guardian

Addressed to the reporters responsible for the story, the petition said: "In respect for Mayang Prasetyo we request that you make a public apology about the article 'Killed and cooked trans woman was high-class "shemale" sex worker', and other related articles.

The Guardian

This is where the media must consider its use of language – the language that variously describes a murder victim as a "shemale", "prostitute" or "hooker wife".

The Guardian - Opinion

My host spotted a trans family, two male-to-female parents, with two kids, holding a sign that said "THE FUTURE IS SHEMALE".

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Kelley at his best had real edge, whether he was knocking up ludicrous bird boxes, working with a cast of abject soft toys, making horrible scatological drawings or painting a series of shemales which he called Naked Majas after Goya.

The Guardian - Arts

Returning from the Jobcentre, a man with a taste for "shemales" (his word) follows me home, making me feel far less secure in my house – my sanctuary in a life that has felt in constant chaos.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They turn up in figure painting, of which there's a fair amount: from Judith F. Baca's surging mural of migrant workers, to Margaret Harrison's superhero shemales, to Joan Semmel's elephantine copulating nudes.

The New York Times - Arts

Daily Mail Australia delved into her profession, reporting she had advertised herself as a high-class, transsexual escort in the UK and Australia and was charging "$200 for half an hour to $500 an hour for her 'top high class international' services as a 'shemale' escort".

The Guardian

Nadeem Kashish, the president of the Shemale Association for Fundamental Rights, says that, far from acting as guardians, the gurus encourage young transgender people to take up sex work.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using the term "shemale" as it is widely considered offensive and derogatory. Use respectful and accurate language when referring to transgender individuals.

Common error

Do not use the term "shemale" as it perpetuates harmful stereotypes and disrespects transgender individuals. Instead, opt for respectful terms like "transgender woman" or "trans woman".

Linguistic Context

The term "shemale" functions as a noun, often used to refer to a transgender woman. However, its usage is highly problematic and offensive, as indicated by Ludwig AI. While grammatically a noun, its use carries significant negative connotations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Arts

8%

Lifestyle

8%

Less common in

Science

17%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while grammatically a noun, the term "shemale" is widely considered offensive and derogatory. Ludwig AI highlights its problematic nature, and its use is strongly discouraged in all but the most informal contexts, and even then, it is best avoided. It's crucial to opt for respectful and accurate language, such as "transgender woman" or "trans woman", to show respect for individuals' gender identities and avoid perpetuating harmful stereotypes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

transgender woman

Replaces a potentially offensive term with a respectful and accurate description of gender identity.

trans person

A succinct, inclusive term for anyone whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth.

male-to-female transgender person

Offers a more detailed and respectful description of someone's gender identity.

trans woman

A shorter, more common, and respectful way to refer to a transgender woman.

transgender individual

A broader term that encompasses various gender identities, avoiding the specificity of "shemale".

gender diverse individual

Emphasizes the diversity of gender identities and expressions, moving away from potentially harmful labels.

gender non-conforming person

Describes an individual whose gender expression does not align with societal expectations.

person of trans experience

Focuses on the individual's lived experience, promoting empathy and respect.

gender variant person

Highlights the variation in gender expression, avoiding potentially stigmatizing labels.

individual assigned male at birth

A more clinical and neutral way to describe someone's assigned sex at birth.

FAQs

Why is the term "shemale" considered offensive?

The term "shemale" is often viewed as a derogatory and objectifying term for transgender women. It's crucial to use respectful and accurate language like "transgender woman" or "trans woman".

What are respectful alternatives to "shemale"?

Instead of "shemale", use terms like "transgender woman", "trans woman", or "transgender person". These terms show respect for an individual's gender identity.

How can I ensure I'm using appropriate language when discussing transgender people?

Prioritize using respectful and accurate language that reflects a person's gender identity. Avoid using outdated or offensive terms. When in doubt, ask the individual how they prefer to be referred to.

What's the difference between "transgender woman" and "shemale"?

"Transgender woman" is a respectful and accurate term for a woman who was assigned male at birth. "Shemale" is an outdated and offensive term that should be avoided. Always use "transgender woman" or "trans woman" to show respect.