spandex

noun

span·​dex ˈspan-ˌdeks 

: any of various elastic textile fibers made chiefly of polyurethane

also : clothing made of this material

Did you know?

Spandex is a fiber that has had an impact on fashion high and low, casual and formal, outer and under. It's not a trademark, as a number of the names of other fibers are, among them Dacron, Lycra, and Orlon. It's a generic term, coined in 1959 as an anagram of the word expands. Anagrammatic coinages are not common; the only other in our dictionaries that the average person is likely to be familiar with is sideburns. Sideburns is an anagram (and synonym) of burnsides, from Ambrose E. Burnside, a Union general in the American Civil War credited with originating the fashion (in the U.S., at least) also known as side-whiskers.

Examples of spandex in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Made from recycled polyester and spandex, the crepe fabric has a waterfall effect that drapes oh-so-perfectly from the waist down. —Anne Taylor, Travel + Leisure, 9 Nov. 2025

They’re made with a four-way stretch nylon and spandex fabric that’s moisture wicking and quick drying. —Mariana Best, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Nov. 2025

Talbots Patch Pocket Classic Jean Trousers The wide-leg jeans are made from a breathable cotton and spandex blend. —Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025

At her spring show, Marie-Adam Leenaerdt brought back the style, but her shiny spandex stocking version ensures no one confuses the look for child’s play. —Laia Garcia-Furtado, Vogue, 30 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

anagram of expands

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

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Kids Definition

spandex

noun

span·​dex ˈspan-ˌdeks 

: any of various synthetic elastic textile fibers