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

In the game, Gerald looks almost identical—the big bushy mustache, the bald head—just a little older. —Lynnette Nicholas, Parents, 20 Dec. 2024

Onstage, clad in Punjabi attire, Diljit was charming and assured, his every smile and twirl of his mustache setting the crowd into a wave of applause and cheers. —Richard Trapunski, Billboard, 20 Dec. 2024

Josh donned a brown shirt, shorts, and sunglasses, and sported a mustache and beard — a change from his clean-shaven look. —Tim Ryan, Newsweek, 18 Dec. 2024

This is particularly apparent in Pearce’s Harrison Lee Van Buren, who, with his tawny skin and bristly mustache, resembles nothing so much as a lion ready to pounce. —Alexandra Schwartz, The New Yorker, 13 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)