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

The creamy, rich gravy and sliced mushrooms are layered on top of excellent biscuits, with the crusty side of the biscuit facing up. —Chandler Boese, Kansas City Star, 2 Jan. 2025

The good news, though, is you’re not doomed to put up with itchy, crusty bits forever. —Jenna Ryu, SELF, 4 Dec. 2024

Like mushrooms au poivre, green curry cod, and caramel-apple monkey bread. November 27, 2024 This month our readers gravitated toward saucy suppers, the kind that beg for crusty bread. —Nina Moskowitz, Bon Appétit, 27 Nov. 2024

Serve with crusty bread, garlic bread, or—better yet—garlic knots. —Amanda Stanfield, Southern Living, 23 Nov. 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