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 of crusty

• blunt
• gruff
• abrupt
• short
• curt
• brusque
• outspoken
• downright

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

How to Store Muffins and Quick Bread When storing yeast bread, the storage environment needs to be dry so the bread maintains the crusty exterior. — Katlyn Moncada, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2026

Use hot, soapy water and a sponge to remove all crusty sugar from inside the dispenser’s body. — Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 3 Aug. 2026

If your dishwasher tines have lost their coating and now have rusty, crusty tips, there’s a cap for that! — Emily Farris, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Aug. 2026

The desserts are divine, especially the fluffy floating island, the perfect profiteroles, the crusty crème brûlée and the Trou Normand, a yummy apple sorbet slathered in Calvados. — Steve Forbes, Forbes.com, 28 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for crusty

• dusty
• gusty
• lusty
• musty
• rusty
• trusty

Kids Definition

crusty

adjective

ˈkrəs-tē 

crustier; crustiest

1

: having or being a crust

2

: cross entry 3 sense 3

crustiness noun