mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈmə-lət 

plural mullet or mullets

1

: any of a family (Mugilidae) of chiefly marine bony fishes with an elongated rather stout body compare goatfish, red mullet

2

[perhaps short for mullethead blockhead] : a hairstyle in which the hair is short on the sides and top and long at the back

Illustration of mullet

• mullet 1

Examples of mullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The actress debuted a new mullet shag cut at the show on Saturday. —Rachel Burchfield, InStyle, 9 Mar. 2026

Quinta Brunson Quinta Brunson styled an eton crop and a gradient lip on Sunday after having donned a mullet and brown lip at the NAACP Image Awards the day before. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 2 Mar. 2026

One standout element is the sports card collection featuring athletes known for their famous mullet hairstyles — a quirky, beloved conversation piece for regulars and new visitors alike. —Susan Stapleton, Des Moines Register, 1 Mar. 2026

Since, the Mexican convenience store has changed its name to Mini Super Buk-II's and updated its logo to a different rodent wearing a red shirt and sporting a mullet. —Greta Cross, USA Today, 25 Feb. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English molet, from Anglo-French mulet, from Latin mullus red mullet, from Greek myllos

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mullet

• red mullet

Rhymes for mullet

• gullet
• rivulet

Kids Definition

mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈməl-ət 

plural mullet or mullets

: any of a family of mostly gray food fishes chiefly of salt water compare red mullet