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

Favorites include the Cozy Holiday Moments Chocolate Gift Box, with truffles in flavors like hot cocoa & marshmallow and apple cider, and the Peppermint Bark Assortment Gift Box. —Perri Ormont Blumberg Fox News, Fox News, 8 Dec. 2024

The hamper also comes with two bottles of wine and a selection of sweet treats – the chocolate truffles and crumbly biscuits with walnuts and raisins were delicious. —Irenie Forshaw, The Week Uk, theweek, 2 Dec. 2024

Zucchini flowers filled with buffalo ricotta cheese on cream and black truffle potatoes acted as a starter. —Ashlyn Robinette, People.com, 26 Nov. 2024

Something Fancy Stored in a Jar: Savory Fresh white truffles. —Helen Rosner, The New Yorker, 24 Nov. 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