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

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, 28 Nov. 2025

It is crafted from 100 percent Chardonnay and has a continuous stream of fine bubbles that create a substantial mousse. —Mike Desimone, Robb Report, 22 Nov. 2025

Also for dessert was an assortment of raspberry and vanilla macarons, and chocolate cupcakes with Biscoff mousse filling and toasted meringue. —Ashlyn Robinette, PEOPLE, 17 Nov. 2025

While some celebrity stylists prefer to use mousse, others go in with a heavy gel to mimic that post-shower appearance. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 14 Nov. 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