crust
/krʌst/ (bre, ipa) · /krʌst/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈkrəst/ (ame, mw)
crust — noun
- crustsingular
- crustsplural
1. the browned, firmer part around bread, especially at the edge or end
the browned, firmer part around bread, especially at the edge or end
Folake always saves the soft middle and eats the crust last.
common contrast: soft middle vs crust
The soup tasted better once the toasted crust soaked up the butter.
Ezra cut the crust off the sandwich for his little sister.
A golden crust on the loaf cracked when the baker pressed it.
- crumb
The soft inside part of bread.
文法句型
the crust of + bread
cut the crust off + bread
用法筆記
Usually refers to the firmer outside part of bread. It can also mean the end piece of a loaf when that part is mostly crust.
常見錯誤
2. the baked dough edge and base that hold a pizza's toppings
the baked dough edge and base that hold a pizza's toppings
Christopher likes a thin crust, but his brother orders deep-dish.
collocation: thin crust
The waiter warned us the hot crust could burn our fingers.
Noa folded the crust to keep the cheese from sliding off.
This crust stays crisp even after twenty minutes in the box.
- base
Focuses more on the bottom support than on the raised edge.
文法句型
thin crust
stuffed crust
crispy crust
用法筆記
In pizza contexts, 'crust' can mean the whole baked dough part, not just the raised rim. People often describe it as thin, thick, stuffed, or crispy.
3. the pastry shell placed under or over a pie filling
the pastry shell placed under or over a pie filling
Selim brushed the crust with egg before baking the apple pie.
collocation: brush the crust with egg
The filling leaked because the bottom crust cracked near the pan.
collocation: bottom crust
My aunt decorates the top crust with tiny pastry leaves.
The crust turned flaky after two hours in the refrigerator.
- pastry shell
A more descriptive cooking term for the same pie structure.
文法句型
top crust
bottom crust
flake the crust
用法筆記
This sense is specific to pies and similar baked dishes. Unlike Sense 2, it refers to pastry rather than pizza dough.
4. the crisp browned surface that cooking creates on food
the crisp browned surface that cooking creates on food
Bao loved the crust on the roast chicken more than the meat.
pattern: the crust on + cooked food
A dark crust formed on the fish where the sauce caramelized.
pattern: form a crust
The chef left the steak longer to build a richer crust.
That baked rice gets its best crust around the edges.
- browned top
Describes the appearance, but not always the same crisp texture.
文法句型
a crust on + cooked food
form a crust
用法筆記
This sense emphasizes the pleasantly firm surface made by heat. It is about texture after cooking, not about bread or pastry structure.
5. a firm covering around something softer or around liquid beneath it
a firm covering around something softer or around liquid beneath it
A snow crust made the field hard enough to walk across.
collocation: snow crust
Years of dust left a grey crust on the window frame.
Linh scraped the salt crust from the rim of the pan.
A black crust covered the lava while the center still glowed.
文法句型
a crust on + surface
a crust of + substance
用法筆記
Use this sense for a hard coat over something else, often with a softer, wetter, or hotter inside. It is broader than the food-only sense in Sense 4.
6. the band of solid rock nearest the surface on the Earth, a moon, or another plan
the band of solid rock nearest the surface on the Earth, a moon, or another planet
Scientists drilled through ocean crust to study ancient rock samples.
collocation: ocean crust
The moon's crust is thinner on the side facing Earth.
Heat from below can crack the crust of a young planet.
Class maps showed how plates move across the Earth's crust.
- surface layer
More general and less technical than the geology term 'crust'.
- core
The central part of a planet, far below the crust.
文法句型
the Earth's crust
the crust of + planet/moon
用法筆記
In science, this sense names the stony outer part of a world. It is most common in expressions such as 'the Earth's crust' and 'ocean crust'.
常見錯誤
7. a tough layer that appears after a liquid dries, freezes, or sits for a long tim
a tough layer that appears after a liquid dries, freezes, or sits for a long time
By morning, a thin crust of ice covered the birdbath.
pattern: a crust of + ice
A white crust formed around the jar after the paint dried.
The old wine bottle had a crust at the bottom.
Farm workers broke the crust on the soil before watering.
文法句型
a crust of + ice/salt
a crust on + soil/object
用法筆記
This sense focuses on a layer that develops over time from drying, freezing, or settling. Unlike Sense 7, it highlights how the layer was formed.
8. impolite boldness shown when someone acts as if limits do not matter
impolite boldness shown when someone acts as if limits do not matter
Joaquín had the crust to laugh after breaking my glasses.
pattern: have the crust to + verb
The customer showed real crust by skipping the line twice.
pattern: show crust
After missing rehearsal, the singer still had the crust to complain.
What crust — he borrowed my bike and returned it muddy.
- modesty
Willingness to stay within social limits rather than acting shamelessly.
文法句型
have the crust to + verb
show crust
用法筆記
This informal British sense is close to 'nerve' or 'cheek'. It is often used when someone behaves shamelessly after doing something wrong.