mousse

1 of 2

noun

ˈmüs 

1

: a light spongy food usually containing cream or gelatin

2

: a molded chilled dessert made with sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin

chocolate mousse

3

: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2

verb

moussed; moussing

transitive verb

: to style (hair) with mousse

Examples of mousse in a Sentence

Noun

a jar of styling mousse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pieces of chocolate cake are also studded in the mousse layers for more great bite and texture. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025

End your first day on a high note with DJ beats, signature cocktails at the Caviar Bar and an order of bluefin tuna crudo, the crab roll and the chocolate mousse topped with caviar. —Jennifer Fernández Solano, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025

Even Pantone’s Color of the Year — mocha mousse — takes a cue. —Jacqueline Kilikita, refinery29.com, 9 Jan. 2025

Morris Chestnut’s wife, Pamela, donned soft nudes similar to Quinta Brunson, who arrived in the color of the year, mocha mousse. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 6 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, froth, moss, from Old French mosse, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German mos moss — more at moss

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1984, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

mousse

1 of 2 noun

ˈmüs 

1

: a light whipped or molded food

especially : a cold dessert of sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin

2

: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2 verb

moussed; moussing

: to style (hair) with mousse