mousse

1 of 2

noun

ˈmüs 

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

Noun

Dessert was a tangerine mousse with roasted pineapple, almond crumbs and coconut ice cream, as well as slices of Waldorf-Astoria red velvet cake. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 10 Mar. 2025

Robinson says rich earth tones like terra-cotta and Pantone’s mocha mousse will replace idyllic pastels. —Annie Blay-Tettey, Allure, 7 Mar. 2025

Whereas Dolce Glow’s self-tanning mist, mousse, and lotion are priced at $50 each, Sunnee BaeSkin’s line falls between $9 and $30. —Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 7 Feb. 2025

Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin: Various restaurants here will offer Valentine’s Day specials, including a dessert special of raspberry dark chocolate gateau with raspberry mousse. —Amy Drew Thompson, Orlando Sentinel, 6 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for mousse

• coos
• cruce
• deuce
• douce
• duce
• goose
• hoose
• juice
• loose
• noose
• nous
• sluice

Kids Definition

mousse

1 of 2 noun

ˈmüs 

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