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

The Batman star is wearing a striped button-down shirt and is sporting his typical grey mustache and beard combo in the picture taken in front of a bookcase filled with numerous awards. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 3 Jan. 2025

Even Bram Stoker had the sense to give Dracula a mustache in the book. —William Earl, Variety, 26 Dec. 2024

The singer highlighted his new mustache with a lime green turtleneck under a boxy gray blazer and paired the look with classic black dress pants. —Rachel Raposas, People.com, 2 Dec. 2024

In the clip, which has amassed more than 1 million views since Clement posted it this week, her brother can be seen wearing a fake mustache, sun glasses and a hat. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 26 Dec. 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)