mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈmə-lət 

plural mullet or mullets

1

: any of a family (Mugilidae) of chiefly marine bony fishes with an elongated rather stout body compare goatfish, red mullet

2

[perhaps short for mullethead blockhead] : a hairstyle in which the hair is short on the sides and top and long at the back

Illustration of mullet

• mullet 1

Examples of mullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Why did all tween boys (including my cousins) have mullets in the late ’80s? —Emma Specter, Vogue, 21 Nov. 2025

Stewart and Abergel have been experimenting with different lengths and looks for literal decades, including some of her best short hairstyles, chunky orange highlights, and a wet-look mullet, among many others. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Nov. 2025

The film stars Vince Vaughn as Peter LaFleur, a charismatic underachiever and proprietor of a rundown gym called Average Joe’s, and Ben Stiller as White Goodman, the power-mullet-sporting, Fu-Manchu-d, egomaniacal owner of Globo Gym, a gleaming monolith of fitness. —Caitlin White, Variety, 10 Nov. 2025

Considered a delicacy in parts of Asia, mullet roe commanded a premium price. —Steve Waters, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English molet, from Anglo-French mulet, from Latin mullus red mullet, from Greek myllos

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mullet

• red mullet

Rhymes for mullet

• gullet
• rivulet

Kids Definition

mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈməl-ət 

plural mullet or mullets

: any of a family of mostly gray food fishes chiefly of salt water compare red mullet