truffle

noun

truf·​fle ˈtrə-fəl  ˈtrü- 

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

Instead, diners will find truffle corn dip and high-end ribeye and wagyu. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 15 Jan. 2026

Bread service changes daily and might feature truffle honey or zucchini, depending on the haul. —Su-Jit Lin, Southern Living, 15 Jan. 2026

Diners can choose between fish, meat, or vegetarian tasting menus, all of which showcase Sicily’s finest (and most famous) produce, from the beef carpaccio with capers and Sicilian black truffle to the cuttlefish to the saffron and dandelion risotto. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Jan. 2026

The poulet en croûte—a French riff on a classic chicken pot pie, filled with roasted chicken, leeks, morels, and truffles, layered over creamy mashed potatoes, and smothered in rich gravy—was another standout. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 5 Jan. 2026

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

Rhymes for truffle

• duffel
• duffle
• muffle
• ruffle
• scuffle
• shuffle
• reshuffle

Kids Definition

truffle

noun

truf·​fle ˈtrəf-əl  ˈtrüf- 

: the dark or light wrinkled fruiting body of a European fungus that grows in the ground

also : a fungus that produces truffles