tomatillo

noun

to·​ma·​til·​lo ˌtō-mə-ˈtē-(ˌ)yō  -ˈtēl-(ˌ)yō 

plural tomatillos

: the small round yellow, purplish, and especially pale green edible sticky fruit of a Mexican ground-cherry (Physalis philadelphica synonym P. ixocarpa)

also : the plant that bears tomatillos

Examples of tomatillo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The trompo is worth ordering for the visuals alone, even if the flavor of the meat, seasoned only with salt, nearly vanishes between the tortilla’s dusky masa sweetness and a tangy, pond-green salsa of avocado and tomatillos. —Helen Rosner, New Yorker, 24 Aug. 2025

Start with roasted or charred base ingredients, such as tomatoes or tomatillos, and add a splash of vinegar or fruit, layering in texture. —Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 24 July 2025

To create the dish, red and black chiles, sesame seeds, cilantro, tomatoes, and tomatillos are roasted individually to build a complex flavor profile before being blended into the beloved creamy stew. —Maliah West, AFAR Media, 23 July 2025

Our gooseberry salsa will hold up against any tomatillo salsa. —Los Angeles Times, 12 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Spanish, diminutive of tomate

First Known Use

circa 1913, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for tomatillo

• clio
• meo
• yeo