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

• smear
• cake

Examples of encrust in a Sentence

refrigerator shelves that were encrusted with the residue of many spills

Recent Examples on the Web

Despite several missteps ‒ including dropping a diamond and emerald-encrusted gold crown on their way out, leaving behind forensic evidence and being caught on security footage ‒ the robbers and the jewels still haven't been found. —N'dea Yancey-Bragg, USA Today, 22 Oct. 2025

Among the royal gems that were pinched is a necklace, with eight sapphires and 631 diamonds, and the crown of Empress Eugénie, wife of Napoleon III, encrusted with nearly 2,000 diamonds and 212 pearls. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 20 Oct. 2025

Decorated with eight golden eagles and encrusted with 1,354 diamonds, 1,136 rose-cut diamonds, and 56 emeralds, it was found broken near the museum. —News Desk, Artforum, 20 Oct. 2025

The band also appears to be diamond-encrusted. —Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 29 Sep. 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