moustache
Americannoun
noun
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the unshaved growth of hair on the upper lip, and sometimes down the sides of the mouth
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a similar growth of hair or bristles (in animals) or feathers (in birds)
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a mark like a moustache
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of moustache
C16: via French from Italian mostaccio, ultimately from Doric Greek mustax upper lip
Explanation
A moustache is hair that grows between a person's nose and mouth. Some moustaches are as thin as a pencil line, while others are bushy and full. Salvador Dali was known for his long, curled moustache. If you're trying to grow a moustache, you might start by shaving all your facial hair except the strands that grow above your upper lip. When your moustache becomes luxuriant and ample, you can trim it with scissors and style it with moustache wax. The word moustache (also spelled mustache comes from the French moustache, which has a Greek root, mystax, "upper lip."
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The man with brown hair and a moustache was identified by multiple US news outlets, citing law enforcement sources, as Cole Tomas Allen, 31, from Torrance, California.
From Barron's ● Apr. 26, 2026
At 82, the former electrician with his legendary handlebar moustache is still receiving visitors in an office at the heart of the former Gdansk shipyards.
From Barron's ● Feb. 23, 2026
Sporting a conquistador moustache and thighs as thick as a gaucho's steak, the culture shock was severe when the Argentina wing arrived at Harlequins.
From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2025
He made his first appearance on Australian shores in the 2013-14 series when arms, legs and a moustache came together for Mitchell Johnson, allowing him to produce a performance for the ages.
From BBC ● Nov. 10, 2025
He had a big drooping moustache and he wore a small black bowler-hat.
From "Boy: Tales of a Childhood" by Roald Dahl
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
