mullet

noun

mul·​let ˈmə-lət How to pronounce mullet (audio)
plural mullet or mullets
1
: any of a family (Mugilidae) of chiefly marine bony fishes with an elongated rather stout body compare goatfish, red mullet
2
[perhaps short for mullethead blockhead] : a hairstyle in which the hair is short on the sides and top and long at the back

Illustration of mullet

Illustration of mullet
  • mullet 1

Examples of mullet in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
But while the look appeared more subdued from the front, Edebiri turned around to reveal a true fashion mullet. — Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 13 Oct. 2026 The stringer had felt the chug of that boat and heard the clap of the mullet, not Bragg. — Charles Bethea, New Yorker, 9 Oct. 2026 The post also featured a snap of Cyrus and Parton sitting cheek-to-cheek, with his legendary mullet and Canadian tuxedo giving Dolly’s towering blonde wig and canary yellow dress a run for their money in the flair department. — Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 28 Sep. 2026 The business end of her mullet starts with piecey, asymmetrical bangs that skim her forehead and a choppy, cropped shape around the crown and sides. — Marci Robin, Allure, 25 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for mullet

Word History

Etymology

Middle English molet, from Anglo-French mulet, from Latin mullus red mullet, from Greek myllos

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of mullet was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing mullet

Rhymes for mullet

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Browse Nearby Words

Müllerian mimicry
mullet
mullet hawk
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Cite this Entry

“Mullet.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mullet. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

mullet

noun
mul·​let ˈməl-ət How to pronounce mullet (audio)
plural mullet or mullets
: any of a family of mostly gray food fishes chiefly of salt water compare red mullet

More from Merriam-Webster on mullet

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about mullet

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