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

Sleepwear including gowns and robes are crafted from a luxurious rayon/spandex blend for a lightweight feel with delicate lace detailing. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Huafon’s businesses span polyurethane, polyamide, spandex and other materials. — Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 9 Oct. 2026

Rhinestones, spandex in hazy, gossamer colors unknown to nature, hair sprayed into place, all primed to be seen, to entertain. — Literary Hub, 9 Oct. 2026

The elastic waistband and the spandex blend material provides flexibility, while the hook-and-bar closure creates a more professional look. — Rachel Trujillo, PEOPLE, 7 Oct. 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