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

Photograph from Alma Gourmet Unlike black truffles, which both smell and taste savory and earthy, the vaunted white truffle—more expensive, more rare, in all ways more absurd—tastes like nothing at all. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 2024

Love is known for his handcrafted chocolates, truffles, bonbons, gelatos, desserts and pastries, which have been singled out in publications including USA Today and Forbes. —Rod Stafford Hagwood, Sun Sentinel, 20 Nov. 2024

Arrive early for croissants, Danish pastries, and tarts Reed whips up an assortment of croissants, like almond, chocolate, ham & cheddar, and black truffle & gruyère. —Lennie Omalza, The Courier-Journal, 12 Nov. 2024

Cadbury Dairy Milk Heroes Advent Calendar $22 Amazon Godiva Advent Calendar For some people Godiva was probably their gateway into gourmet chocolate (for the record, the brand’s decadent chocolate pralines and truffles are also top-notch). —Carina Finn, Bon Appétit, 18 Oct. 2024

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

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