tomatillo

American  

[toh-muh-tee-oh, -teel-yoh] / ˌtoʊ məˈti oʊ, -ˈtil yoʊ /

noun

plural

tomatilloes, tomatillos

1. a plant, Physalis ixocarpa, of the nightshade family, native to Mexico, having yellow flowers with five blackish spots in the throat and bluish, sticky berries in a purple-veined calyx.

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tomatillo British  

/ tɒməˈtɪləʊ, -ˈtiːjəʊ /

noun

1. a solanaceous plant, Physalis ixocarpa , of South America

2. Also called: green tomato.  the greenish-purple fruit of this plant that is a staple in Mexican cuisine

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Etymology

Origin of tomatillo

1910–15; < Spanish, diminutive of tomate tomato

Compare meaning

How does tomatillo compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• tomatillo vs. tomato

Example Sentences

The kitchen is a standout, featuring bright green custom kitchen cabinets painted Raw Tomatillo by Farrow & Ball, which add vitality to the single-wall layout.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 22, 2025

To give Salon Food readers a peek into how she celebrates, Jinich has shared two recipes that she'll be serving this year: a Mushroom-Jalapeno Matzo Ball Soup and Brisket in Pasilla Chile and Tomatillo Sauce.

From Salon • Sep. 14, 2023

In my Cumin Beans With Tomatillo and Chips recipe, for example, you’re instructed to cut the tomatillos, then move them to a serving platter, their final destination.

From Washington Post • May 6, 2022

Tomatillo, a Mexican restaurant in Dobbs Ferry, New York, has a quesadilla and taco made with jackfruit nestled in alongside other meaty and vegetarian offerings.

From Washington Times • Jan. 27, 2020

Tomatillo salsa verde was a mere footnote to a lovely plate of pea vines, abalone mushrooms, fregola sarde and king salmon.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 21, 2017