mullet

[ muhl-it ]

noun,plural (especially collectively) mul·let, (especially referring to two or more kinds or species) mul·lets.

any of several marine or freshwater, usually gray fishes of the family Mugilidae, having a nearly cylindrical body.
a goatfish.

a sucker, especially of the genus Moxostoma.

Origin of mullet

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English molet, mulet, melet, from Old French mulet “red mullet,” from Latin mullus “red mullet,” from Greek mýllos, a kind of unidentified fish ; see -et

Words Nearby mullet

Other definitions for mullet (2 of 3)

mullet²

[ muhl-it ]

nounHeraldry.

a starlike charge having five points unless a greater number is specified, used especially as the cadency mark of a third son.

Origin of mullet

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English molet(te), from Old French molete “rowel of a spur,” equivalent to mole “millstone” (French meule ) + -ette diminutive suffix; see -ette

Also called American star, Scottish star .

Also mol·et [mol-it] /ˈmɒl ɪt/ .

Other definitions for mullet (3 of 3)

mullet³

[ muhl-it ]

noun

a hairstyle in which the hair is short in the front and at the sides of the head, and longer in the back.

Origin of mullet

First recorded in 1990–95; perhaps by shortening of mullethead “blockhead, fool”; popularized and probably coined by U.S. hip-hop group the Beastie Boys

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use mullet in a sentence

Seth Rogen, who developed the project with producing partner Evan Goldberg and writer Robert Siegel, dons a mullet as Rand Gauthier, the down-and-out carpenter who steals the couple’s honeymoon video after Tommy pushes him too far.
Hulu's Abysmal Pam & Tommy Is at Its Worst When Paying Lip Service to Feminism | Judy Berman | January 26, 2022 | Time
In Texas, some of the fastest-growing search topics related to Cruz included Cancún, the Ritz-Carlton in Cancún, and mullets — a nod to the odd haircut Cruz sported during the impeachment trial.
Hypothermia, carbon monoxide and cold pets: Google searches underscore depth of crisis in Texas | Christopher Ingraham | February 19, 2021 | Washington Post
He knew the term meant “schools of mullet” and “holes of a fishing net,” but they would say it even when pointing at empty water.
Local languages are dying out and taking invaluable knowledge with them | Hannah Seo | January 25, 2021 | Popular-Science
Apparently, Uncle Jesse can, especially when he's trying to work his mullet mojo with Lori Loughlin.
John Stamos Turns 50! Watch Uncle Jesse's Greatest Moments | Anna Klassen | August 19, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST
Perhaps you have a mullet and want to meet people who are into that kind of thing.
‘Star Trek’ Dating Websites Cater to Trekkies Looking for Love | Kevin Fallon | May 15, 2013 | THE DAILY BEAST

On Travolta, a truly embarrassing business in the front/party in the back mullet, and on her fantastically big '80s hair.
Kelly Preston and John Travolta: Scientology’s Other Celebrity Wife | Tricia Romano | July 16, 2012 | THE DAILY BEAST
In one ironic scene, Harry encounters Dan, a language poet and a former rival, in the mullet.
Novelist Kate Christensen's Winning Novels About Losers | | June 13, 2011 | THE DAILY BEAST
Made with roe from mullet, carp, cod, lobsters, or even crab, taramasalata—salty, creamy, bright, with little pops!
What to Eat: Mediterranean Feast | Cookstr.com | October 6, 2009 | THE DAILY BEAST
At night we hauled the seine, and procured about four dozen fish, principally mullet.
Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia] [Volume 2 of 2] | Phillip Parker King
In the intense quiet the splash of leaping mullet sounded distinctly.
In Search of the Unknown | Robert W. Chambers
Frequently I would go out spearing and netting fish, my principal captures being mullet.
The Adventures of Louis de Rougemont | Louis de Rougemont
Elnathan mullet, evidently considering his labors as door-keeper over, was counting his takings by lantern light.
The Rise of Roscoe Paine | Joseph C. Lincoln
mullet finished his counting, took up his money box and lantern and left the gate unguarded.
The Rise of Roscoe Paine | Joseph C. Lincoln

British Dictionary definitions for mullet (1 of 2)

mullet¹

/ (ˈmʌlɪt) /

noun

any of various teleost food fishes belonging to the families Mugilidae (grey mullet) or Mullidae (red mullet): See also grey mullet, red mullet
the US name for grey mullet

Origin of mullet

C15: via Old French from Latin mullus, from Greek mullos

British Dictionary definitions for mullet (2 of 2)

mullet²

/ (ˈmʌlɪt) /

noun

a hairstyle in which the hair is short at the top and long at the back

Origin of mullet

C20: origin unknown

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

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