[1][2] Basidiocarps (fruit bodies) are typically agaricoid (mushrooms with gills), but a minority are cyphelloid.

The family Entolomataceae was first introduced in 1972 by the Czech mycologists František Kotlaba and Zdeněk Pouzar to replace the earlier name Rhodophyllaceae.

[3] The family is well defined by its distinctive spore morphology, formed by a unique type of spore-wall thickening called the "epicorium",[2] and by recent DNA studies.

In 1871, German mycologist Paul Kummer created the genera Eccilia, Leptonia, Nolanea, and Entoloma for species with angular spores, based on perceived differences in the morphology of fruit bodies.

Species with obscurely nodulose spores (appearing almost smooth under a microscope) are classified in Clitocella or Clitopilopsis.