mustache

noun

mus·​tache ˈmə-ˌstash How to pronounce mustache (audio) (ˌ)mə-ˈstash How to pronounce mustache (audio)
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.
Shanahan had the mustache during Saturday’s press conference. — Chris Biderman, Sacbee.com, 8 Aug. 2026 Next comes the arrival of a tinkling blue ice cream truck manned by an eerily silent, smiling, wraith-like purveyor (Ari Millen) with a John Waters mustache. — Robert Abele, Los Angeles Times, 7 Aug. 2026 Johnson ascribed magical powers to said mustache and had the receipts to back it up. — Lisa Gutierrez, Kansas City Star, 5 Aug. 2026 Kelce’s mustache has its fair share of lore, earning comments (and its El Travador nickname) from his Chiefs teammates, his brother Jason, and fans over the years. — Lara Walsh, InStyle, 3 Aug. 2026 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

Phrases Containing mustache

Rhymes for mustache

See All Rhymes for mustache

Browse Nearby Words

must've
mustache
mustachio
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Mustache.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mustache. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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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

Nglish: Translation of mustache for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mustache

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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