noun
Lycra
LYK-ruh
noun
1
A stretchy synthetic fabric (a brand name for spandex) used in tight-fitting clothing.
"Cyclists often wear padded shorts made of lycra for long rides."
"The swimsuit was made from a lycra blend that kept its shape in chlorinated water."
2
Clothing made from this fabric, especially skin-tight sportswear.
"He turned up to the gym head-to-toe in lycra."
How to Use Lycra
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStretchy sportswear fabric, or clothes made from it.
When to use it
Technically a trademark, but used informally as a generic term for stretch sportswear fabric.
Common pairings
lycra shorts
dressed in lycra
lycra leggings
Word Forms
Lycras plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Lycra”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Cyclists often wear padded shorts made of _____ for long rides.
Etymology
Originally a trademarked brand name coined by DuPont for its stretch fibre, now used generically.