truffle

noun

truf·​fle ˈtrə-fəl How to pronounce truffle (audio) ˈtrü- How to pronounce truffle (audio)
1
a
: the dark or light edible subterranean fruiting body of several European ascomycetous fungi (especially genus Tuber)
also : any of various similar fruiting bodies of related fungi
b
: a fungus that produces truffles
2
: a candy made of chocolate, butter, sugar, and sometimes liqueur shaped into balls and often coated with cocoa

Examples of truffle in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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That roster includes dishes like foie gras truffle with charred onion jam and a house croissant; a wild boar belly and antelope with pistachio, fermented harissa, and yogurt; and an Asian pear sorbet with aloe sabayon and ginger tapioca. Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Sep. 2025 To eat, there are carne asada or mushroom empanadas ($8 each), mahi mahi skewers with mango habanero salsa ($20), buffalo meatballs ($16) or seabass ceviche and yucca chips ($18) – plus rosemary truffle fries ($9). John Metcalfe, Mercury News, 12 Sep. 2025 The restaurant’s fan favorite might well be the garden peas served with grated fresh summer truffle and cheese from Danish cows—this dish is a mic drop, pure and simple. Katie Kelly Bell, Forbes.com, 8 Sep. 2025 The à la carte morning menu includes a flavorful shakshuka as well as mushrooms and truffle oil on brioche toast. Heather Richardson, Travel + Leisure, 6 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for truffle

Word History

Etymology

modification of Middle French truffe, from Old Occitan trufa, from Vulgar Latin *tufera; akin to Latin tuber swelling, truffle — more at tuber

First Known Use

1591, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of truffle was in 1591

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Cite this Entry

“Truffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truffle. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

truffle

noun
truf·​fle ˈtrəf-əl How to pronounce truffle (audio) ˈtrüf- How to pronounce truffle (audio)
: the dark or light wrinkled fruiting body of a European fungus that grows in the ground
also : a fungus that produces truffles

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