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truffle

American  
[truhf-uhl, troo-fuhl] / ˈtrʌf əl, ˈtru fəl /

noun

  1. any of several subterranean, edible, ascomycetous fungi of the genus Tuber.

  2. any of various similar fungi of other genera.

  3. 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.


truffle British  
/ ˈtrʌfəl /

noun

  1. 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

  2. Also called: rum truffle.  a sweet resembling this fungus in shape, flavoured with chocolate or rum

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

  • truffled adjective

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

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.

The act of striving for more, like some frenzied truffle hound, is usually an attempt to override fear.

From The Wall Street Journal

Caviar and truffle prices are skyrocketing, forcing Tirel to cut corners while clinging to his restaurant’s former glory.

From Los Angeles Times

Accompanied by specially-trained truffle dogs, foodies get dirt under their nails as they dig for these stinky “black diamonds.”

From Salon

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

Several dishes leaned heavily on truffle, so keep that in mind if you’re not a fan.

From Salon