What does goatee mean?
A goatee is a small, usually pointed beard confined to the chin, often worn with the cheeks and upper lip shaved. It is distinct from a full beard and from a Van Dyke beard, which usually includes a moustache and may extend along the jaw. The word is neutral rather than derogatory and commonly appears in descriptions of personal appearance, grooming, fashion, and historical portraits. People say that someone has, wears, grows, or trims a goatee, while the standard plural is goatees. The name comes through French from the word for a goat, reflecting the beard's resemblance to the pointed tuft beneath a goat's chin. Goatees are also associated with particular grooming traditions and subcultural styles, but the word itself simply names the facial-hair style without endorsing or condemning it. Its useful specificity distinguishes a chin-only beard from a beard that covers the cheeks, jaw, or upper lip.
nounA small, usually pointed beard confined to the chin, typically with the cheeks and upper lip shaved.
- A small, usually pointed beard worn on the chin, with the cheeks and upper lip typically shaved.
"He trimmed his goatee into a neat, pointed shape before the interview."
"The barbershop specializes in fades, flat tops, and neatly shaped goatees."
"In the portrait, the sitter wears a carefully groomed goatee and a dark coat."
The standard plural is goatees; goatee's is singular possessive, and goatees' is plural possessive.
"The shop offers custom trims for beards, moustaches, and goatees."
The goat connection is literal: the goatee was named for its resemblance to the tuft beneath a goat's chin.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does goatee come from?
The English noun was borrowed from French goatee, a word formed from goat and referring to a beard resembling a goat's chin tuft. It became established in English during the 19th century. French goat is ultimately derived from Latin capra, related to caper, and this origin also connects with words such as caprine, capricorn, and chevrotain.
How goatee is actually used
The word is neutral and common in both British and American English, although the exact shape and degree of grooming may vary with context.
Easily confused with goatee
A goat is the horned mammal, whereas a goatee is a style of facial hair on the chin.