truffle

noun

truf·​fle ˈtrə-fəl How to pronounce truffle (audio) ˈtrü- How to pronounce truffle (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Think chocolate candy, cakes, truffles, cookies, fudge, brownies, drinks, toffees, macarons, cupcakes, pastries — along with a chocolate fountain. — John Wenzel, Denver Post, 8 Oct. 2026 Decadently delicious is the Champagne Bar, where Ruinart blanc de blancs gives way to Dom Pérignon as small bites from oysters with Champagne foam to potato purée with white truffle and egg yolk arrive before you. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Try out the difference for yourself with this bifurcated serum-and-cream offering that calms, hydrates, and firms thanks to said truffles, sure, but also hyaluronic acid, panthenol, ceramides, and other good-for-skin ingredients. — Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 5 Oct. 2026 Milbon, for example, formulates around pearl peptides, spring water algae extract and black truffle to repair and nourish. — Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for truffle

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of truffle was in 1591

Rhymes for truffle

See All Rhymes for truffle

Browse Nearby Words

Truffaut
truffle
truffled
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Truffle.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/truffle. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

truffle

noun
truf·​fle ˈtrəf-əl How to pronounce truffle (audio) ˈtrüf- How to pronounce truffle (audio)
: the dark or light wrinkled fruiting body of a European fungus that grows in the ground
also : a fungus that produces truffles

More from Merriam-Webster on truffle

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about truffle

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