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

Airy Berliners piped with elderflower crème fraîche and dusted in nori are an excellent vehicle for caviar; lemon pepper frog legs show the versatility of the city’s signature spice blend; black truffles add a new level of depth to tiramisu; and Comté foam elevates an espresso martini. —Pervaiz Shallwani, Bon Appetit Magazine, 12 Aug. 2025

Windstar Cruises, for example, will begin offering truffle hunting in Tuscany in 2026 as an option for guests stopping in Livorno. —Lori Rackl, Travel + Leisure, 12 Aug. 2025

Six years later, according to Wine Enthusiast, the first truffles were harvested. —Gary Stoller, Forbes.com, 11 Aug. 2025

Timeless French dishes like duck a l'orange and escargot made the menu, along with fine dining options like filet mignon topped with truffle and foie gras. —Kathleen Wong, USA Today, 10 Aug. 2025

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