mousse

1 of 2

noun

ˈmüs 

1

: a light spongy food usually containing cream or gelatin

2

: a molded chilled dessert made with sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin

chocolate mousse

3

: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2

verb

moussed; moussing

transitive verb

: to style (hair) with mousse

Examples of mousse in a Sentence

Noun

a jar of styling mousse

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

As the sun sets, diners dig into burgers dressed up like banh mi, with pickled daikon, rich duck liver mousse, and a burst of cilantro. —The Bon Appétit Staff, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Sep. 2025

Persistent mousse; aromas of pineapple, melon and yellow flowers. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025

Also getting good marks is Jasmine, whose pistachio cake, filled with pistachio mousse and topped with a cardamom cake, consists of just three green layers stacked on top of each other. —Brian Moylan, Vulture, 5 Sep. 2025

Topped with silky mocha mousse and a light cappuccino cream, the cake is finished with a chocolate drizzle and white chocolate curls, creating a visually striking presentation. —Elizabeth Fogarty, Better Homes & Gardens, 4 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, froth, moss, from Old French mosse, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German mos moss — more at moss

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1984, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for mousse

• coos
• cruce
• deuce
• douce
• duce
• goose
• hoose
• juice
• loose
• noose
• nous
• sluice

Kids Definition

mousse

1 of 2 noun

ˈmüs 

1

: a light whipped or molded food

especially : a cold dessert of sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin

2

: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2 verb

moussed; moussing

: to style (hair) with mousse