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

The mousse of the moment is a glossy mango, bright orange painted on white chocolate tucked under dark chocolate branches set on a toasted coconut crumble. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 17 Dec. 2025

Whisk in the horseradish, mustard, salt and pepper to taste and continue whisking until the mousse is slightly firm. —Peter Burke, FOXNews.com, 16 Dec. 2025

Fold the cream, vanilla, nuts and fruit into the mousse. —Kathryn Gregory, Louisville Courier Journal, 1 Dec. 2025

Use them for beverages or as ramekins for serving olives, nuts, or small servings of ice cream, mousse, or pudding. —Mark Marino, Bon Appetit Magazine, 1 Dec. 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