mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈmə-lət 

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

• mullet 1

Examples of mullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Photographer Marco Bahler shared snaps of Anderson on Instagram rocking a choppy mullet with bangs, her long-time blonde swapped out for copper red. —Catherine Santino, PEOPLE, 30 Sep. 2025

First came a ‘stache, and then a mullet. —Luca Evans, Denver Post, 29 Sep. 2025

These temperate, food-rich waters are a buffet for Atlantic bottlenose dolphins, drawing them in to chase down mullet, menhaden, and other small fish. —Alexandra Emanuelli, Southern Living, 18 Sep. 2025

Black Rabbit’s second episode trades the introductory flash-forward for a classic flashback, set in motion by a slightly less unkempt Vince, now sporting a mullet and handlebar mustache in place of his twitchy Manson look from the present timeline. —Andy Andersen, Vulture, 18 Sep. 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