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

It was developed to meet growing demand for workwear and personal protective equipment apparel that combines stretch with antistatic performance, the spandex and apparel fiber maker said. —Alexandra Harrell, Footwear News, 23 Apr. 2026

For one, it’s made with a nylon-spandex outer fabric that instantly absorbs heat and helps regulate body temperature. —Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 22 Apr. 2026

The spandex-blend material is ultra-stretchy, and there’s no unpleasant digging or pinching courtesy of the zipper- and button-free design. —Izzy Baskette, PEOPLE, 18 Apr. 2026

The fabric has a slight stretch thanks to the 12 percent spandex, and stays soft and comfortable even after multiple wears and washes. —Annita Katee, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 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