mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈmə-lət How to pronounce mullet (audio)
plural mullet or mullets
1
: any of a family (Mugilidae) of chiefly marine bony fishes with an elongate 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

Illustration of mullet
  • mullet 1

Examples of mullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The base appears to be a buzz cut, but there's plenty of hair around the edges, like a circumferential mullet with wispy curtain bangs. Marci Robin, Allure, 15 Sep. 2023 Wearing thick gold chains, with his signature mullet tucked behind a black baseball cap, the singer ran through his hits. Wire Services, Dallas News, 14 Sep. 2023 Whiting may have been the inspiration, but the pencil popper also calls up big stripers when fished around schools of adult bunker, mackerel, mullet or any other large baitfish. Jimmy Fee, Field & Stream, 13 Sep. 2023 Manatees and stingrays swim at a leisurely pace, leading to spectacular views of the phenomenon in slow motion, while speeding schools of mullet create quick flashes, appearing like hundreds of green bottle rockets going off underwater. Talia Avakian, Travel + Leisure, 4 June 2023 Wallen, who usually rocks a signature mullet and mustache, appeared to be bald underneath a red cap and without any facial hair. Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 14 Aug. 2023 Now that perms are back, can the mullet be far behind? Marina Johnson, Detroit Free Press, 29 July 2023 Along with its usual array of 4-H Club projects, carnival rides and family-friendly attractions, this year’s Kane County Fair will be doing its part to bring back the mullet. Mike Danahey, Chicago Tribune, 11 July 2023 While '80s mullets tended to be super short on top and much longer in the back, modern mullets are a bit more blended and intentional. Myranda Mondry, Allure, 26 June 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mullet.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mullet was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near mullet

Cite this Entry

“Mullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullet. Accessed 28 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

mullet

noun
mul·​let ˈməl-ət How to pronounce mullet (audio)
plural mullet or mullets
: any of a family of mostly gray food fishes chiefly of salt water compare red mullet

More from Merriam-Webster on mullet

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