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

For afternoon tea and old-world fine dining with a jazz soundtrack, The Estate House veranda pulls in a warm breeze, and dishes such as lobster and ravioli, and mushroom and truffle velouté with brioche strips wrapped in Italian lardo are served on antique crockery. —Rosalyn Wikeley, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Jan. 2026

Then, step into the historic Ghirardelli Chocolate Shop—where chocolatiers craft glossy bars and hand-pour truffles with finite precision—creating the legendary hot fudge sundae. —Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026

Annalise, the most ill-natured guest to embark on the Bravado since the legendary Carlos, complains about the absence of truffles (not in season) on her pasta. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 20 Jan. 2026

Along with a choice of cocktails, wines and champagne, guests were treated with a fresh and sophisticated meal that included a marinated sea bass carpaccio with basil oil, tagliatelle pasta with artichokes and truffle shavings and for desert, a vacherin with pear and yuzu. —Elsa Keslassy, Variety, 18 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