encrust

verb

en·​crust in-ˈkrəst 

iŋ-

variants or less commonly incrust

encrusted also incrusted; encrusting also incrusting; encrusts also incrusts

transitive verb

: to cover, line, or overlay with or as if with a crust

intransitive verb

: to form a crust

Synonyms of encrust

• smear
• coat
• cake
• cover
• crust
• rime

Examples of encrust in a Sentence

refrigerator shelves that were encrusted with the residue of many spills

Recent Examples on the Web

The Seahawks ring, large as a child’s fist, is encrusted with 20 carats of white diamonds and blue sapphires. —Los Angeles Times, 12 June 2026

Lastly, the new Air Jordan 4 Retro OG style is set to come with a silver Jumpman hangtag that’s encrusted with diamond-like gems. —Riley Jones, Footwear News, 10 June 2026

Stoppard lived a quintessentially English life, albeit encrusted with celebrity, set apart from them by maternal design. —Chris Jones, Chicago Tribune, 8 June 2026

Lipa, who recently stepped at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival wearing a similar design, appeared to wear a $567,000 iteration of the iconic collar that was encrusted with 75 carats of pavé diamonds within an 18kt white gold base. —Lara Walsh, InStyle, 2 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

probably from Latin incrustare, from in- + crusta crust

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Rhymes for encrust

• adjust
• combust
• discussed
• disgust
• distrust
• entrust
• intrust
• mistrust
• nonplussed
• robust
• sawdust
• stardust

Kids Definition

encrust

verb

en·​crust

variants also incrust

in-ˈkrəst

1

: to cover with a crust

2

: to form a crust

Medical Definition

encrust

transitive verb

en·​crust

variants also incrust

in-ˈkrəst 

: to cover, line, or overlay with a crust

intransitive verb

: to form a crust