mustache

noun

mus·​tache ˈmə-ˌstash  (ˌ)mə-ˈstash 

variants or less commonly moustache

1

: the hair growing on the human upper lip

especially : such hair grown and often trimmed in a particular style

… his long mustache combed and waxed …

—Henry Petroski

2

: hair or bristles about the mouth of a mammal

mustached adjective

or less commonly moustached

ˈmə-ˌstasht 

(ˌ)mə-ˈstasht

Examples of mustache in a Sentence

He used a small pair of scissors to trim his mustache.

He decided to grow a mustache.

The actor was wearing a false mustache.

Recent Examples on the Web

The once-famous dark mane has gone white and is neatly cropped and the bushy mustache is now just a brush of hair below his nose. —Los Angeles Times, 12 Apr. 2026

Vince Mulcahy, who sports a snow-white mustache and a slate-gray hunting vest, grew up in the Alaskan wilderness. —Idaho Statesman, 7 Apr. 2026

The new Captain was introduced sporting a mustache, a look that got such a strong negative reaction, the producers moved in to shave it off several episodes in. —Nellie Andreeva, Deadline, 7 Apr. 2026

The front grille resembles a chrome gentleman’s mustache with perfectly round headlamps, giving it an expression of joy. —Jesus R. Garcia, Houston Chronicle, 5 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French moustache, from Old Italian mustaccio, from Middle Greek moustaki, diminutive of Greek mystak-, mystax upper lip, mustache

First Known Use

1585, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing mustache

• Fu Manchu mustache
• handlebar mustache

Rhymes for mustache

• backlash
• chumash
• eyelash
• moustache
• noncash
• potash
• rehash
• whiplash
• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache

Kids Definition

mustache

noun

mus·​tache

variants also moustache

ˈməs-ˌtash, 

(ˌ)məs-ˈtash

1

: the hair growing on the human upper lip

2

: hair or bristles about the mouth of a mammal (as a walrus)