Cis
adjective
This is a Latin term meaning 'on the side of'. In modern usage, it often relates to gender and refers to someone whose gender identity corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth.
She is cisgender, she identifies with her birth sex.
Often appears as...
- cisgender male
- cisgender female
prefix
In chemistry, 'cis' is used to describe certain types of chemical compounds where the functional groups are on the same side of the carbon chain.
Cis fats are generally considered healthier than trans fats.
Often appears as...
- cis configuration
- cis compound
Usage tips
Technical
prefix
Used in geography to refer to something that's on this side of a particular boundary.
In Europe, 'cisalpine' refers to locations on the same side of the Alps as the speaker.
Often appears as...
- cisalpine
- cislunar
Usage tips
Academic
adjective
This is a Latin term meaning 'on the side of'. In modern usage, it often relates to gender and refers to someone whose gender identity corresponds with the sex they were assigned at birth.
She is cisgender, she identifies with her birth sex.
Often appears as...
- cisgender male
- cisgender female
prefix
In chemistry, 'cis' is used to describe certain types of chemical compounds where the functional groups are on the same side of the carbon chain.
Cis fats are generally considered healthier than trans fats.
Often appears as...
- cis configuration
- cis compound
Usage tips
Technical
prefix
Used in geography to refer to something that's on this side of a particular boundary.
In Europe, 'cisalpine' refers to locations on the same side of the Alps as the speaker.
Often appears as...
- cisalpine
- cislunar
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Gender Identity
Understand 'cis' relates to a person's core sense of their own gender matching their birth sex.
His cis identity means his gender expression aligns with masculine traits from birth.
Pro Tip 2/3Not 'Trans'
'Cis' is often used in contrast to 'trans', which relates to identities not matching birth sex.
As a cisgender woman, she doesn't experience the same issues as a transgender peer.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Awareness
Usually used in discussions about gender identity, rights, or inclusivity.
The form asked if she was cis or trans to ensure inclusivity.
Pro Tip 1/3Gender Identity
Understand 'cis' relates to a person's core sense of their own gender matching their birth sex.
His cis identity means his gender expression aligns with masculine traits from birth.
Pro Tip 2/3Not 'Trans'
'Cis' is often used in contrast to 'trans', which relates to identities not matching birth sex.
As a cisgender woman, she doesn't experience the same issues as a transgender peer.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Awareness
Usually used in discussions about gender identity, rights, or inclusivity.
The form asked if she was cis or trans to ensure inclusivity.
Pro Tip 1/3Gender Identity
Understand 'cis' relates to a person's core sense of their own gender matching their birth sex.
His cis identity means his gender expression aligns with masculine traits from birth.
Pro Tip 2/3Not 'Trans'
'Cis' is often used in contrast to 'trans', which relates to identities not matching birth sex.
As a cisgender woman, she doesn't experience the same issues as a transgender peer.
Pro Tip 3/3Context Awareness
Usually used in discussions about gender identity, rights, or inclusivity.
The form asked if she was cis or trans to ensure inclusivity.
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Video examples
An unexpected tool for...
the gender you were assigned at birth. So now we see that rich, white cis women occupy the analogous situation that rich white men did in broader society. And this has helped me understand why there is so much anger towards rich white women,
Video examples
The Nature of Nature PIPE...
square kilometers of ocean and we can do the same on the land we must protect the critical wilderness areas we depend on our target is ambitious 30 percent of the planet protected by 2030 but pristine cis has proven that
Video examples
An unexpected tool for...
the gender you were assigned at birth. So now we see that rich, white cis women occupy the analogous situation that rich white men did in broader society. And this has helped me understand why there is so much anger towards rich white women,
Video examples
The Nature of Nature PIPE...
square kilometers of ocean and we can do the same on the land we must protect the critical wilderness areas we depend on our target is ambitious 30 percent of the planet protected by 2030 but pristine cis has proven that
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Angelica Ross
American Businesswoman
There are cis women who are being attacked and called men because they are wearing makeup and because they are too tall, and they might have an Adam's apple. Once cis women start to realize it's not just harmful to trans women, then we'll start to come together more and attack this together. It sucks, but we're all under the patriarchy.
Quote examples
Nicole Maines
American Actress
Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and vice versa. That casting breaks through the fourth wall, and it gives people the message that trans people are being played by cis men in real life, which is where we get this idea of men in dresses.
Quote examples
Patti Harrison
American Actress
Not all representation is good representation. I would argue a lot of the marginalized representation in TV and media is off, because a lot of the gatekeepers are white straight cis people who mean well and they think meaning well is enough, and it's not.
Quote examples
Sasha Velour
American Entertainer
Trans women, trans men, AFAB - which is assigned female at birth - and non-binary performers, but especially trans women of color, have been doing drag for literal centuries and deserve to be equally represented and celebrated alongside cis men.
Quote examples
Tommy Dorfman
American Actor
I have a big problem with cis straight men. I'm sort of discriminatory against them and it's going to take work for me to find a way to build a relationship with those people and trust that those people can be allies.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
When folks say 'identity politics' don't matter, it simply reinforces the norm of a white, middle-class, cis narrative and further marginalizes the rest of us who don't share that identity.
Quote examples
Janet Mock
American Writer
Trans folk, especially of color, should not be obligated to help cis folk play catch-up on our experiences. The effort can detract from our work to protect and liberate ourselves.
Quote examples
Indya Moore
American Actor
We deserve the same things that cis women do, the same things that other humans do, from our social lives to our families to love.
Quote examples
Trace Lysette
American Actress
I think that trans women have endured a lot and they compromise a lot when dealing with cis hetero men.
Quote examples
Hari Nef
American Actress
What's infuriating is when cis people think celebrating me is celebrating transness.
Quote examples
Angelica Ross
American Businesswoman
There are cis women who are being attacked and called men because they are wearing makeup and because they are too tall, and they might have an Adam's apple. Once cis women start to realize it's not just harmful to trans women, then we'll start to come together more and attack this together. It sucks, but we're all under the patriarchy.
Quote examples
Nicole Maines
American Actress
Historically, we have seen cis men play trans women and vice versa. That casting breaks through the fourth wall, and it gives people the message that trans people are being played by cis men in real life, which is where we get this idea of men in dresses.
Quote examples
Patti Harrison
American Actress
Not all representation is good representation. I would argue a lot of the marginalized representation in TV and media is off, because a lot of the gatekeepers are white straight cis people who mean well and they think meaning well is enough, and it's not.
Quote examples
Sasha Velour
American Entertainer
Trans women, trans men, AFAB - which is assigned female at birth - and non-binary performers, but especially trans women of color, have been doing drag for literal centuries and deserve to be equally represented and celebrated alongside cis men.
Quote examples
Tommy Dorfman
American Actor
I have a big problem with cis straight men. I'm sort of discriminatory against them and it's going to take work for me to find a way to build a relationship with those people and trust that those people can be allies.
Quote examples
Patrisse Cullors
American Activist
When folks say 'identity politics' don't matter, it simply reinforces the norm of a white, middle-class, cis narrative and further marginalizes the rest of us who don't share that identity.
Quote examples
Janet Mock
American Writer
Trans folk, especially of color, should not be obligated to help cis folk play catch-up on our experiences. The effort can detract from our work to protect and liberate ourselves.
Quote examples
Indya Moore
American Actor
We deserve the same things that cis women do, the same things that other humans do, from our social lives to our families to love.
Quote examples
Trace Lysette
American Actress
I think that trans women have endured a lot and they compromise a lot when dealing with cis hetero men.
Quote examples
Hari Nef
American Actress
What's infuriating is when cis people think celebrating me is celebrating transness.
Example 1 of 10
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