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 applications are products that typically use spandex, polyurethanes and thermoplastic elastomers, including athletic and performance clothing as well as elements of footwear, industrial elastics and car parts and accessories. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 14 Jan. 2026

The set is constructed with polyester, rayon, and spandex materials that feel buttery smooth and lightweight on the skin. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 13 Jan. 2026

Not every workout requires form-fitting spandex. —Anna Moeslein, Glamour, 13 Jan. 2026

SuperSoft Fleece Half-Zip Marrying the roominess of a classic zip-up with the sophistication of a collared shirt, this style is all about relaxation thanks to the stretchy Tencel modal, spandex, and polyester-blend material. —Michelle Baricevic, Travel + Leisure, 11 Jan. 2026

Word History

Etymology

anagram of expands

First Known Use

1959, in the meaning defined above

Podcast

Get Word of the Day delivered to your inbox!

Kids Definition

spandex

noun

span·​dex ˈspan-ˌdeks 

: any of various synthetic elastic textile fibers