mustache

noun

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 How to pronounce mustache (audio)
(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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But footage and reports apparently surfaced to suggest the government forces had not only begun attacking Druze communities by burning and looting their houses, but also were targeting Druze men by publicly humiliating them and forcibly shaving their mustaches. Caitlin McFall, FOXNews.com, 16 July 2025 All seven family members wore white Color Run T-shirts and athletic shorts, with the mom of two adding on a fake mustache. Hannah Sacks, People.com, 14 July 2025 The family described a white man between 5-foot-8 and 5-foot-10 inches tall with a long ponytail and overgrown beard and mustache, officials said. Nicole Blanchard, Idaho Statesman, 7 July 2025 Historically, mustaches have symbolized virility and toughness. Claire Murashima, NPR, 2 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for mustache

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of mustache was in 1585

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mustache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mustache. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

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)

More from Merriam-Webster on mustache

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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