mousse

1 of 2

noun

ˈmüs How to pronounce mousse (audio)
Synonyms of moussenext
1
: a light spongy food usually containing cream or gelatin
2
: a molded chilled dessert made with sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin
chocolate mousse
3
: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2

verb

moussed; moussing

transitive verb

: to style (hair) with mousse

Examples of mousse in a Sentence

Noun a jar of styling mousse
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.
Noun
Chocolate mousse for dessert is a real treat, but soft serve frozen yogurt with fresh fruit is lighter and equally satisfying. — Connie Ogle august 4, Miami Herald, 4 Aug. 2026 Even people with long, strong strands look for ways to add thickness, whether through a scalp serum, follicle-stimulating oil, or volume-boosting mousse. — Kaelin Dodge, InStyle, 30 July 2026 Crafted by perfumers Dominique Ropion, Anne Flipo and Jean-Marc Chaillan of IFF, Glimmer is an amber, floral fragrance with a gourmand twist — notes of macaron rose accord, raspberry mousse accord and vanilla bean. — Kathryn Hopkins, Footwear News, 28 July 2026 This sexy Village hideaway serves a killer linguine vongole, a perfect branzino and a mean pistachio and passion fruit mousse. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for mousse

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, literally, froth, moss, from Old French mosse, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German mos moss — more at moss

First Known Use

Noun

1885, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1984, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mousse was in 1885

Rhymes for mousse

See All Rhymes for mousse

Browse Nearby Words

moussaka
mousse
mousseline
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mousse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mousse. Accessed 6 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mousse

1 of 2 noun
ˈmüs How to pronounce mousse (audio)
1
: a light whipped or molded food
especially : a cold dessert of sweetened and flavored whipped cream or egg whites and gelatin
2
: a foamy preparation used in styling hair

mousse

2 of 2 verb
moussed; moussing
: to style (hair) with mousse

More from Merriam-Webster on mousse

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for mousse

Nglish: Translation of mousse for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mousse

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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