# Lycra vs lyre

> English confusable word pair

## The two words

### Lycra
*noun · IPA [ˈlaɪkɹə] · frequency rank #44,315*
A type of synthetic elastic fabric and fibre (spandex) used for tight-fitting garments, such as swimming costumes.

### lyre
*noun · IPA /ˈlaɪ.ə/ · frequency rank #46,595*
An ancient stringed musical instrument (a yoke lute chordophone) of Greek origin, consisting of two arms extending from a body to a crossbar (a yoke), and strings, parallel to the soundboard, connecting the body to the yoke.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lycra-vs-lyre