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

Typically applied as the final step in a washday routine—after leave-in conditioners, foams, mousses, and curl creams—these products seal in moisture and add definition. —Malia Griggs, Glamour, 30 Sep. 2025

Folding whipped topping gently into the pudding mixture keeps the filling fluffy and mousse-like. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 27 Sep. 2025

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

Bright, light yellow; excellent mousse; aromas of lemon twist, melon, apple peel and magnolia. —Tom Hyland, Forbes.com, 11 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