mustache

noun

mus·​tache ˈmə-ˌstash  (ˌ)mə-ˈstash 

variants or less commonly moustache

1

: the hair growing on the human upper lip

especially : such hair grown and often trimmed in a particular style

his long mustache combed and waxed

—Henry Petroski

2

: hair or bristles about the mouth of a mammal

mustached adjective

or less commonly moustached

ˈmə-ˌstasht 

(ˌ)mə-ˈstasht

Examples of mustache in a Sentence

He used a small pair of scissors to trim his mustache.

He decided to grow a mustache.

The actor was wearing a false mustache.

Recent Examples on the Web

Carrey’s mad scientist character rocks an unhinged amount of bedhead at the top of the clip – which pairs well with his signature wacky mustache. —Raven Brunner, People.com, 19 Nov. 2024

The stubbly mustache and goatee he’s grown knock off another 10 percent. —Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 18 Nov. 2024

But the mustache was too wispy, the pimples too many. —Alejandro Puyana, TIME, 30 Oct. 2024

Everyone’s favorite mustache is doing triple duty: hitting, working with seven pitchers in a single game, and showing up on the Freep’s front page. —Ryan Ford, Detroit Free Press, 7 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle French moustache, from Old Italian mustaccio, from Middle Greek moustaki, diminutive of Greek mystak-, mystax upper lip, mustache

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mustache

• Fu Manchu mustache
• handlebar mustache

Kids Definition

mustache

noun

mus·​tache

variants also moustache

ˈməs-ˌtash,

(ˌ)məs-ˈtash

1

: the hair growing on the human upper lip

2

: hair or bristles about the mouth of a mammal (as a walrus)