crusty

[kruhs-tee]

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

crusty

/ 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

noun

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

Other Word Forms

• crustily adverb
• crustiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of crusty¹

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

Example Sentences

There were ham sandwiches on crusty brown bread, and cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches on white bread with the crusts trimmed off.

Read more on Literature

We’ve all seen many iterations of the crusty old coach instructing his young charge in the tricks of the sport.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

We ordered what I consider to be the perfect lunch: mussels poached in white wine and herbs, slices of crusty country loaf griddled in olive oil, and a plate of frites with aioli.

Read more on Salon

Well-fired - Refers to rolls baked until brown or black and crusty on top.

Read more on BBC

“A man makes his choices,” Baldwin’s crusty, guilt-ridden drifter says to his grandkid at one point.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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