noun
Lycra
LYK-ruh
Lycra (noun) means a stretchy synthetic fabric (a brand name for spandex) used in tight-fitting clothing. Example: “Cyclists often wear padded shorts made of lycra for long rides.”
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
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Word forms
- Plural
- Lycras
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.
Frequently asked questions
What does “Lycra” mean?
The word “Lycra” means a stretchy synthetic fabric (a brand name for spandex) used in tight-fitting clothing. In plain terms, stretchy sportswear fabric, or clothes made from it.
How do you pronounce “Lycra”?
“Lycra” is pronounced LYK-ruh ([ˈlaɪkɹə] in IPA).
How do you use “Lycra” in a sentence?
Here is “Lycra” used in a sentence: “Cyclists often wear padded shorts made of lycra for long rides.”
What part of speech is “Lycra”?
“Lycra” is a noun.
How many meanings does “Lycra” have?
“Lycra” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stretchy synthetic fabric (a brand name for spandex) used in tight-fitting clothing.
