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

Rolling vineyards, medieval hill towns and a deep food culture define this peninsula, where truffles, olive oil and wine are central to everyday life. —Laura Begley Bloom, Forbes.com, 29 Jan. 2026

British chocolate maker House of Dorchester's Marc de Champagne truffles include French Brandy and strawberries. —Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 29 Jan. 2026

At the end of the day, the whole point of the holiday—aside from boosting sales for Hallmark Cards and Lindor chocolate truffles—is to celebrate love. —Glamour, 28 Jan. 2026

Choose from nine shades to suit your style, like classic black, cherry red, or truffle brown—select colors are marked down to $59. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 28 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