Words with the prefix trans-
trans- means “across; beyond; through”, from Latin.
15 examples of the prefix trans-
- transporttrans- + portcarry across from one place
- transfertrans- + fercarry across to another place
- transformtrans- + formchange form beyond original shape
- translatetrans- + latecarry meaning across languages
- transmittrans- + mitsend something across a distance
- transparenttrans- + parentlight passes through completely
- transactiontrans- + actionexchange carried through to completion
- transcribetrans- + scribewrite across into another form
- transittrans- + itpassing through or across
- transatlantictrans- + atlanticacross the Atlantic Ocean
- transcendtrans- + scendgo beyond ordinary limits
- transgresstrans- + gressstep beyond an established boundary
- transienttrans- + ientpassing through only briefly
- transfusiontrans- + fusionpour fluid through into another
- translucenttrans- + lucentlight passes through but diffused
How trans- works
The prefix 'trans-' typically attaches to Latin or Greek roots without spelling change, maintaining its full form regardless of the following consonant. Unlike prefixes such as 'in-', 'trans-' does not assimilate to the initial letter of the base, though a hyphen is sometimes used before proper nouns (trans-Atlantic) or to avoid double letters.
Watch out: The word 'trance' looks like it might contain 'trans-' but actually derives from Old French 'transir' (to pass away) and is not productively analyzed as 'trans-' plus a base in modern English.
To see prefixes combine with other parts, try the word dissector and root builder, or test yourself in the vocabulary quiz.
Other common prefixes
Questions people ask
What does the prefix trans- mean?
trans- means “across; beyond; through”. It comes from Latin. The prefix 'trans-' typically attaches to Latin or Greek roots without spelling change, maintaining its full form regardless of the following consonant. Unlike prefixes such as 'in-', 'trans-' does not assimilate to the initial letter of the base, though a hyphen is sometimes used before proper nouns (trans-Atlantic) or to avoid double letters.
What are some examples of words with the prefix trans-?
transport, transfer, transform, translate, transmit, transparent, transaction, transcribe. The full list of 15 examples, with what each one literally means, is above.
Which words look like they have the prefix trans- but don’t?
The word 'trance' looks like it might contain 'trans-' but actually derives from Old French 'transir' (to pass away) and is not productively analyzed as 'trans-' plus a base in modern English.
What is a prefix?
A prefix is a word part added to the front of a base word or root to change its meaning, like un- in unhappy or re- in rewrite. It does not usually change the part of speech.