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

The fiber, partially derived from dent corn, is designed to maintain the performance of conventional spandex while delivering up to a 32 percent reduction in carbon emissions, according to a cradle-to-gate life cycle assessment. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 2 Apr. 2026

The breathable blend of nylon, spandex, and bamboo has a silky, creamy texture that’s soft against your skin and enhances airflow. —Stephanie Osmanski, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Apr. 2026

Crafted from a blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex, the jeans combine comfort with structure, while signature details—like Devil-Dog’s side cording stitch and bandana pocketing—add a distinctive finishing touch. —Angela Velasquez, Sourcing Journal, 23 Mar. 2026

The fabric is a poly-spandex stretch blend, which hugs the body just enough to prevent excess drag while still remaining comfortable. —Joe Jackson, Outside, 16 Mar. 2026

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