spandex
noun
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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
Karla Rodriguez, Footwear News, 15 July 2025
It’s made from polyester, rayon, and spandex to wick away moisture and maximize comfort—all essential qualities in tropical weather.
—Danielle Calma, Travel + Leisure, 13 July 2025
It’s made of a cotton and spandex blend fabric that moves with you throughout the day, and its hip-skimming length can be tucked into or out of jeans, skirts, and pants.
—Averi Baudler, People.com, 13 July 2025
These best-selling jeans from Gloria Vanderbilt are a customer favorite and feature a comfy blend of cotton, polyester, and spandex for a snug and slightly stretchy fit.
—Alicia Geigel, Southern Living, 7 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for spandex
Cite this Entry
“Spandex.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spandex. Accessed 21 Jul. 2025.
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spandex
noun
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