mullet: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Informal (hairstyle), Neutral (fish)
Quick answer
What does “mullet” mean?
A type of edible fish with a silvery body, often found in coastal waters.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A type of edible fish with a silvery body, often found in coastal waters.
A hairstyle popular in the 1980s and 1990s, characterized by short hair on the top and sides and long hair at the back.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Both meanings are understood in both varieties. The hairstyle term is slightly more common in American pop culture references.
Connotations
The fish is neutral. The hairstyle often carries humorous, ironic, or dated connotations, sometimes associated with a particular subculture or era.
Frequency
The fish term is low-frequency in everyday conversation. The hairstyle term has moderate frequency in informal contexts discussing fashion or nostalgia.
Grammar
How to Use “mullet” in a Sentence
have a + mulletbe + a mulletfish for + mulletVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “mullet” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He decided to mullet his hair for a charity event.
- They're mulleting again for retro night.
American English
- He's going to mullet it up for the 80s party.
- She mulleted her hair as a joke.
adjective
British English
- He had a proper mullet haircut.
- The look was unapologetically mullet.
American English
- That's a serious mullet style.
- His mullet phase was legendary.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in marine biology/ichthyology for the fish. Not used for the hairstyle.
Everyday
Primarily used for the humorous/retro hairstyle. The fish is mentioned in culinary or fishing contexts.
Technical
In zoology: a fish of the family Mugilidae. In hairdressing: a specific cut.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “mullet”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “mullet”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “mullet”
- Using 'mullet' to describe any long hairstyle (it's specifically short-top/long-back).
- Pronouncing it /ˈmjuːlɪt/ (like 'mule').
- Assuming the fish and hairstyle meanings are etymologically related (they are not).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, they are complete homonyms (words that sound the same but have different origins). 'Mullet' for the fish comes from Old French 'mulet', while the hairstyle term's origin is uncertain but likely 1990s American slang.
Not in mainstream fashion, but it persists in some subcultures (e.g., heavy metal, hockey) and is often adopted ironically or as a retro statement.
Many species of mullet fish are edible and prized in various cuisines, but specific types like the red mullet (actually a goatfish) are considered particular delicacies.
The most cited origin is the 1994 song 'Mullet Head' by the Beastie Boys, which popularized the term. It may also be influenced by the fish, implying something 'fishy' or odd.
A type of edible fish with a silvery body, often found in coastal waters.
Mullet is usually informal (hairstyle), neutral (fish) in register.
Mullet: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmʌlɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmʌlɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Business in the front, party in the back (describing the mullet hairstyle)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a FISH with a silly HAIRCUT - that's a 'mullet' (both meanings in one image).
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS FASHION (The hairstyle meaning metaphorically represents a specific, often mocked, period in recent history).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the word 'mullet' MOST likely to be used technically?