moustache

/məˈstɑːʃ/

//məˈstɑːʃ// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"moustache" is a 9-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“moustache” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #21,288 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#21,288
frequency rank, English
9
letters
13
tracked misspellings
1
confusable pair

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A growth of facial hair between the nose and the upper lip.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

moustache vs mustache
89% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for moustache
PropertyValue
Headwordmoustache
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/məˈstɑːʃ/
Letters9
Frequency rank#21,288
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs1
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “moustache” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). moustache lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for moustache is 9 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /məˈstɑːʃ/. Corpus data places it at rank #21,288 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 2 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for moustache, with forms such as "mmoustache", "mosutache", and "mousatche". Each variant is a distinct typo pattern an edit-distance generator flags, typically a doubled-consonant error, a silent-letter drop, or a vowel substitution. It also participates in 1 confusable-pair relationship, "mustache", a pairing that trips writers up because the two words share enough sound or shape to blur together.

Etymologically, the entry records: Used in English since the 16th century. From Middle French moustache from Italian mostaccio, from Early Medieval Latin mustācium, from Byzantine Greek μουστάκιον (moustákion), diminutive of (Doric) Ancient Greek μύσταξ (mústax, “upper lip”), of unknown orig… The correct English form is moustache, spelled M-O-U-S-T-A-C-H-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A growth of facial hair between the nose and the upper lip.
  2. 2
    A curly bracket, { or }.

Etymology

Used in English since the 16th century. From Middle French moustache from Italian mostaccio, from Early Medieval Latin mustācium, from Byzantine Greek μουστάκιον (moustákion), diminutive of (Doric) Ancient Greek μύσταξ (mústax, “upper lip”), of unknown origin (probably a Pre-Greek substrate). Replaced native English kemp (“moustache”), from Old English cenep.

This word in other languages

bigote(Español)moustache(Français)Schnurrbart(Deutsch)bigode(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: mmoustache,mosutache,mousatche,mousstache,moustacche,moustaceh,moustachhe,moustahce,moustcahe,mousttache,moutsache,muostache,omustache

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of moustache - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

mmoustache1mosutache2mousatche2mousstache1moustacche1moustaceh2moustachhe1moustahce2
Edit distance from "moustache"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "moustache"?
"moustache" is spelled M-O-U-S-T-A-C-H-E. The IPA pronunciation is /məˈstɑːʃ/.
What does "moustache" mean?
As a noun, "moustache" means: A growth of facial hair between the nose and the upper lip.
What words are commonly confused with "moustache"?
"moustache" is commonly confused with "mustache". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "moustache"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "moustache" is /məˈstɑːʃ/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "moustache"?
Used in English since the 16th century. From Middle French moustache from Italian mostaccio, from Early Medieval Latin mustācium, from Byzantine Greek μουστάκιον (moustákion), diminutive of (Doric) Ancient Greek μύσταξ (mústax, “upper lip”), of un... See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “moustache”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is M-O-U-S-T-A-C-H-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /məˈstɑːʃ/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “mustache” - see the side-by-side comparison. moustache vs mustache
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list