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 Bella Stretch Vintage Shorts are made with organic cotton, lyocell, and spandex to prevent that stiff, itchy feeling of traditional denim. — Bria McNeal, Travel + Leisure, 29 June 2026

Quince’s fabrics are designed to be hypoallergenic and help regulate temperature, like the mulberry silk and spandex that make up this tiered maxi dress. — Cheryl Wagemann, InStyle, 29 June 2026

This pair is made from organic cotton and spandex, creating a comfortable material that moves with you. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 26 June 2026

For ultimate comfort, the dress has a flowy fit and is made from polyester and spandex, resulting in an airy, breathable feel that will keep you cool for the summer. — Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 25 June 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