truffle
Americannoun
-
truffles
plural
-
any of several subterranean, edible, ascomycetous fungi of the genus Tuber.
-
any of various similar fungi of other genera.
-
a candy made of soft chocolate, shaped into a ball and dusted with cocoa, or sometimes a three-layered cube of light and dark chocolate.
noun
-
Also called: earthnut. any of various edible saprotrophic ascomycetous subterranean fungi of the European genus Tuber . They have a tuberous appearance and are regarded as a delicacy
-
Also called: rum truffle. a sweet resembling this fungus in shape, flavoured with chocolate or rum
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of truffle
First recorded in 1585–95; from Dutch truffel(e), from Middle French truffle, truffe, from Old Provençal trufa, from Late Latin tūfer (unrecorded), tūfera, probably from an Osco-Umbrian cognate of Latin tūber tuber 1
Explanation
Use the noun truffle when you're talking about a fancy French mushroom or a certain type of rich, fancy chocolate. Try not to combine the two types of truffles in the same dish! The rare and delicious fungus known as a truffle has a distinct, savory taste that's loved by many people. There are several different types of truffles, the most popular of which are white truffles and black truffles. Both are gathered with the help of specially trained pigs and dogs that can easily smell them. The chocolate delicacy also known as a truffle was named in the 1920's for its resemblance to the round, often dark brown fungus.
Vocabulary lists containing truffle
Pie Chart: Dessert Words
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Charlotte's Web
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
This Week in Words: Current Events Vocabulary for January 14–January 20, 2023
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Another "just wants to try" that £16 truffle arancini starter.
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Fun fact: The movie’s director, Michael Sarnoski, loves a prickly hero: He also made “Pig,” which stars Nicolas Cage as a gruff truffle hunter.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 6, 2026
Hundreds of pounds of caviar, black truffle, sushi and tomahawk steak have been shipped to Hollywood for the traditional lavish Oscars after-party this Sunday.
From Barron's ● Mar. 11, 2026
Several dishes leaned heavily on truffle, so keep that in mind if you’re not a fan.
From Salon ● Mar. 7, 2026
I was disappointed to miss our traditional family birthday dinner because Mom always picked restaurants that served sophisticated dishes like pomegranate cheesecake and whipped truffle potatoes.
From "South of Somewhere" by Kalena Miller
Chinese companies also are making gains in other decadent foods such as caviar and truffles.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 13, 2026
And if it’s truffles you still seek for your soulmate, I’d suggest complementing the bonbons with a bottle of truffle oil — for under $25.
From MarketWatch ● Jan. 27, 2026
Imagine Michelin-star chefs toss truffles onto pasta as the world’s fastest cars zoom by.
From Salon ● Nov. 29, 2025
Igor’s fading memory proves to be an apt, albeit obvious metaphor for a vocation slowly losing its connection to its past as truffles have emerged as a hot gastronomic trend.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 14, 2025
“Let’s hit the road. You better grab that whole bag of candy cane truffles from the backseat. I think we need them in our emotionally fragile state.”
From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
