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

The desserts are all those favorites no one can turn down, from a rich chocolate mousse ($15) to tangy-sweet lemon tart ($15). —John Mariani, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024

Products from the Ashley Marie collection were used to finish the hair, including mousse and hair serum for shine, and even lace wig products for added detail in some of the styles. —Tira Urquhart, Essence, 8 Sep. 2024

This vanilla mousse, with ribbons of tart-sweet boysenberry sauce, has a delicate, cloudlike texture. —Sunset Staff, Sunset Magazine, 15 Aug. 2024

The chocolate mousse with blood orange chocolate and lemon curd is the ideal way to finish. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

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

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