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

Their debut album, Bergtatt (1995), released when singer Kristoffer Garm Rygg was 18, inspired a whole universe of nature-drunk folk metal; meanwhile, Nattens Madrigal (1997) is a prime example of the most scabrous and distortion-encrusted recesses of black metal. —Daniel Bromfield, Pitchfork, 8 Jan. 2026

Lauren had only designed three wedding dresses before crafting Chopra's intricate lace gown, which was encrusted with 2,380,000 mother-of-pearl sequins. —Hannah Malach, InStyle, 6 Jan. 2026

Sparkling silver gemstones encrusted the entirety of the bodysuit, and the look was paired with a shimmering top hat to boot. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 Dec. 2025

The text is placed over the Eagles' logo, also encrusted with gems. —Skyler Caruso, PEOPLE, 23 Dec. 2025

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