crustier; crustiest
1
: having or being a crust
2
: giving an effect of surly incivility in address or disposition
crustily adverb
crustiness noun
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The divers' seared scallops are served in a velvety smoked pike roe and champagne butter that begs to be mopped with crusty French baguette. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes, 22 Oct. 2024 And it is served with most of its traditional elements, including bread — made at a nearby Mexican bakery — that is crustier than a hamburger bun. New York Times, 18 June 2024 Gooey melted cheese, crusty bread—what’s not to like about this traditional Argentine appetizer? Serves 2–4 Time 30 minutes American Appetizers Argentine Cheese Dairy Ingredients For the salsa criolla: ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil ¼ cup red wine vinegar 2 Tbsp. Ellen Fort, Saveur, 3 Oct. 2024 Sop it up with crusty bread or drizzle over a bed of mashed potatoes. Cameron Beall, Southern Living, 16 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for crusty 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of crusty was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near crusty

Cite this Entry

“Crusty.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crusty. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

crusty

adjective
crustier; crustiest
1
: having or being a crust
2
crustiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on crusty

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!