mustang
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
A merchant marine who joined the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer during the American Civil War.
Register: slang
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
He is a product of the merchant marine and is one of the officers called "Mustangs" who entered the navy during the Civil War.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
A commissioned officer who started military service as an enlisted person.
Register: slang
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “mustang” mean?
A merchant marine who joined the U.S. Navy as a commissioned officer during the American Civil War.
Is “mustang” formal or informal?
mustang is generally slang.