crusty

adjective

ˈkrə-stē 

crustier; crustiest

1

: having or being a crust

2

: giving an effect of surly incivility in address or disposition

crustily

ˈkrə-stə-lē 

adverb

crustiness

ˈkrə-stē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• abrupt
• bluff
• blunt
• brusque
• brusk
• curt
• downright
• short
• short-spoken
• snippy
• unceremonious

Choose the Right Synonym for crusty

bluff, blunt, brusque, curt, crusty, gruff mean abrupt and unceremonious in speech and manner.

bluff connotes good-natured outspokenness and unconventionality.

a bluff manner

blunt suggests directness of expression in disregard of others' feelings.

a blunt appraisal

brusque applies to a sharpness or ungraciousness.

a brusque response

curt implies disconcerting shortness or rude conciseness.

a curt command

crusty suggests a harsh or surly manner sometimes concealing an inner kindliness.

a crusty exterior

gruff suggests a hoarse or husky speech which may imply bad temper but more often implies embarrassment or shyness.

puts on a gruff pose

Examples of crusty in a Sentence

a basket of warm, crusty bread

We could see deer tracks in the crusty snow bank.

Recent Examples on the Web

And it is served with most of its traditional elements, including bread — made at a nearby Mexican bakery — that is crustier than a hamburger bun. —New York Times, 18 June 2024

Gooey melted cheese, crusty bread—what’s not to like about this traditional Argentine appetizer? Serves 2–4 Time 30 minutes American Appetizers Argentine Cheese Dairy Ingredients For the salsa criolla: ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. —Ellen Fort, Saveur, 3 Oct. 2024

Sop it up with crusty bread or drizzle over a bed of mashed potatoes. —Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024

With respect to texture, staffers wanted a crackly, crusty exterior with a springy, toothsome center. —Sam Stone, Bon Appétit, 7 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

crusty

adjective

ˈkrəs-tē 

crustier; crustiest

1

: having or being a crust

2

: cross entry 3 sense 3

crustiness noun