# crust

/ˈkɹəst/ (US) · /kɹˈʌst/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/crust
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. bread or pizza

noun · CEFR B1

the hard outer part of a loaf of bread or the base of a pizza.

For teachers: the external, hardened layer of bread or the dough-based foundation of a pizza.

- The children always ask me to cut the crusts off their sandwiches.
- The artisan bakery is famous for its sourdough, which features a thick, dark crust and a remarkably airy interior.

### 2. geology

noun · CEFR B2

the thin, rocky outer layer of the Earth or another planet.

For teachers: the outermost solid shell of a terrestrial planet or natural satellite.

- The Earth's crust is made of many different types of rock.
- Tectonic plates are massive sections of the Earth's crust that move slowly over the more fluid mantle beneath them.

### 3. pastry

noun · CEFR B1

the outer layer of a pie made from pastry.

For teachers: the baked pastry shell or covering of a sweet or savoury pie.

- She made a delicious apple pie with a flaky golden crust.
- The chef brushed the top crust with egg wash to ensure it achieved a rich, glossy finish in the oven.

### 4. a living

noun · CEFR C1 · British English · Informal

a way to earn money to live.

For teachers: a means of earning a livelihood; often used in the phrase 'to earn a crust'.

- He has been trying to earn a crust as a freelance writer for years.
- After the factory closed, many local residents struggled to find new ways to earn a crust in such a remote area.

### 5. nerve or gall

noun · CEFR C2 · Informal

rude behaviour or a lack of respect.

For teachers: impudence, audacity, or insolence.

- I can't believe he had the crust to ask for more money after being late.
- The intern had the absolute crust to correct the CEO during the annual general meeting.

### 6. to form a hard layer

verb · CEFR B2

to form a hard layer on the surface of something.

For teachers: to cover with or form into a hardened outer layer or coating.

- The salt began to crust on his skin after he swam in the ocean.
- By the following morning, a thin layer of ice had crusted over the surface of the small garden pond.

## Examples

- The bread has a thick, crunchy crust.
- Geologists study the Earth's crust to understand how tectonic plates move and cause earthquakes.
- The chef carefully brushed the pastry with egg wash to ensure the crust would achieve a deep golden hue and a delicate, flaky texture during the baking process.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.