crusty

American  

[kruhs-tee] / ˈkrʌs ti /

adjective

crustier, crustiest

1. having a crisp or thick crust.

   a loaf of crusty French bread.

2. of the nature of or resembling a crust.

3. harsh; surly; rude.

   a crusty remark.

   Synonyms:

   brusque, curt, touchy, prickly, testy

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crusty British  

/ ˈkrʌstɪ /

adjective

1. having or characterized by a crust, esp having a thick crust

2. having a rude or harsh character or exterior; surly; curt

   a crusty remark

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noun

1. slang a dirty type of punk or hippy whose lifestyle involves travelling and squatting

Other Word Forms

• crustily adverb
• crustiness noun

Etymology

Origin of crusty

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; crust, -y ¹

Example Sentences

Matijevich recommends enjoying bowls of clam chowder with your favorite crusty bread, like focaccia or toasted slices of baguette.

From Salon

At first, it was the basics: crusty rounds, lean baguettes, rustic grainy loaves, the kind of bread that made a meal stretch.

From Salon

The crust was crusty, and then the inside was hot and squishy.

From Literature

You can go maximalist — an Alison Roman–style ham party, complete with pickled vegetables, fancy mustard and crusty bread — or you can go blissfully minimal with a giant sub sliced into generous hunks.

From Salon

I may take one hot bath a week, and the water may reach only to the crusty stain ringing the inside of the tub.

From Literature

Related Words

• brusque
• cranky
• gruff
• irascible
• prickly
• sarcastic