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

And all of your friends can go over and serve themselves a little heaping spoonful of mousse. —Bon Appétit, 11 Dec. 2024

This elegant dessert has a layer of cake, mousse, and ganache which is sure to delight the most serious chocolate lovers. —Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 2 Dec. 2024

They’re paired with small plates, such as mushroom tostadas topped with avocado mousse and serrano. —Kristin Braswell, Travel + Leisure, 3 Nov. 2024

For dessert, make sure to order the chocolate sphere, which breaks open to reveal chocolate mousse and berries. —Kaila Yu, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

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