Moustache

Pronunciation

• RP IPA: /məˈstɑːʃ/, Rhymes: -ɑːʃ
• US IPA: /ˈmÊŒstæʃ/, /məˈstæʃ/, Rhymes: -æʃ
• Aus IPA: /məˈstæʃ/, Rhymes: -æʃ
• NZ IPA: /məˈstɐːʃ/, Rhymes: -ɐːʃ

Alternative forms

• moustaches
• mustache, mustaches

Origin

Used in English since the 16th century. Via French from Italian mostaccio, from Byzantine Greek μουστάκιον, diminutive of (Doric) Ancient Greek μύσταξ ("upper lip"), from Proto-Indo-European *mendʰ- ("to chew").

Full definition of moustache

Noun

1. A growth of facial hair between the nose and the upper lip.

Usage notes

The plural forms moustaches and mustaches were formerly popular equivalent terms for the facial hair on the lip of one man, but these uses are now archaic with the singular now preferred.

Derived terms

• handlebar moustache
• molestache
• toothbrush moustache