scrunchie

American  

[skruhn-chee] / ˈskrʌn tʃi /

Or scrunchy

noun

scrunchies plural

1. an elastic band covered with gathered fabric, used to fasten the hair, as in a ponytail.

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scrunchie British  

/ ˈskrʌntʃɪ /

noun

1. a loop of elastic covered loosely with fabric, used to hold the hair in a ponytail, etc

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• scrunchies
  plural

Etymology

Origin of scrunchie

First recorded in 1985–90; scrunch ( def. ) + -ie ² ( def. ), perhaps influenced by the trademark Scünci

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

scrunchie scrunchies

Hard to know what she’ll appreciate more: the peaceful slumber or the practical drawstring bag constructed in the same silky fabric as the mask and scrunchie.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 20, 2025

She had managed to consume 24 socks, a scrunchie, two hair ties, a shoe insert, a onesie and multiple pieces of cloth.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 26, 2025

She wore her pressed-out or relaxed hair in a slicked-back bun with a gold scrunchie.

From Salon ● Aug. 3, 2024

Moira: I did not buy anything, because I don’t think I know anyone who wants a Slytherin scrunchie.

From Seattle Times ● Nov. 21, 2023

She went as far as the opposite end of the street, ducking behind a couple of parked cars, before at last pulling the scrunchie out of her hair.

From "Night Owls" by A.R. Vishny

By 2014, tourists were improvising with items like scrunchies, ribbons and earphones.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 10, 2026

And yet cubicles, like scrunchies, are back, spurred by demand from employers and employees alike.

From New York Times ● Dec. 19, 2023

It also includes palm-tree-emblazoned neckties, upcycled fabric scrunchies, and face mask and hand sanitizer key ring combos.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2023

Former Lioness Jill Scott also sent a video praising the scrunchies.

From BBC ● Jul. 21, 2023

I also picked up some hair gel and scrunchies, and a new pair of sneakers—gold ones!

From "Blended" by Sharon M. Draper