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

What the champagne supernova has taught us is that this isn’t all Kyle’s fault, this isn’t all because of his partying and DJ-ing and mullet (please don’t bring it back). —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 17 June 2026

Tree was known for mixing alternative pop, electronic music and comedy, sporting a bowl-mullet haircut and making oversized, 1980s-style fashion choices. —Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 14 June 2026

In the film's trailer, which was released on June 9, Wilde showed off blunt micro bangs and a mullet while posing in red lingerie. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 10 June 2026

Eastern Forest Tick Examined under a microscope, this minuscule parasite bears an uncanny resemblance to your childhood bully, right down to its mullet and Van Halen T-shirt. —Jay Ruttenberg, New Yorker, 8 June 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