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

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

Jamerson recommends a styling mousse and a sweat-absorbing wrap to keep edges smooth. —Larry Stansbury, Essence, 4 Sep. 2025

The top layer of the cake is a lighter, silkier cappuccino mousse with a chocolate drizzle and white chocolate curls. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 31 Aug. 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