crust of bread

USAGE SUMMARY

"crust of bread" is a grammatically correct and usable expression in written English.
You could use it when you are describing or referring to the outer, hard layer of a piece of bread. For example: "The crust of bread was extra crunchy this morning."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Food

Literature

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

And steam also crisps the crust of bread.

The New York Times - Food

To wash down the crust of bread my wife and I supply him with.

The New Yorker

Background-Scotland, 1823: Solomon Entwhistle is arrested for stealing a crust of bread.

The New Yorker

When it starts to smoke, drop a crust of bread in.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One child eats a crust of bread: the others sit and stare.

The Guardian

A witch asks the woodcutter for something to eat, and he gives her a crust of bread.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

By Jerome Barry The New Yorker, May 11 , 1929P. 22 A cup of water, a crust of bread View Article By Rivka Galchen By Malcolm Gladwell By Jia Tolentino By David Remnick.

The New Yorker

By Jerome Barry The New Yorker, May 11 , 1929P. 22 A cup of water, a crust of bread View Article By Alan Burdick By Larissa MacFarquhar By Charles Bethea By Emily Witt.

The New Yorker

There was little room to move, no fresh air or daylight and nothing to eat apart from crusts of bread and raw onions.

The Guardian

At its most impoverished, this is no more than garlic simmered in water to give it flavor, with a few crusts of bread added for bulk.

The New York Times - Food

I spent the evening somewhere in between, at a boutique bar she suggested called Blu Bungalow, where chilled Champagne and Campari cocktails were served alongside bruschetta on thick crusts of bread with fresh goat cheese, local basil and cherry tomatoes.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "crust of bread" when referring to the outer, often harder, part of a loaf or slice, particularly when discussing texture or edibility. For instance, "The toddler enjoyed gnawing on the "crust of bread".

Common error

Avoid using "crust of bread" when you actually mean the entire loaf or slice. "I'll have a "crust of bread"" sounds incomplete; instead, say, "I'll have a slice of bread."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "crust of bread" functions primarily as a noun phrase, serving as the object of a sentence or preposition. Examples provided by Ludwig confirm its role in describing a specific part of bread, either literally or figuratively, as Ludwig AI explains.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Food

25%

Literature

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "crust of bread" is a common noun phrase, functioning descriptively in a variety of contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and general usability. Its primary use is literal, referring to the outer part of bread, but it also appears figuratively, denoting basic living. Predominantly found in News & Media, Food related and literary sources, its register is neutral, making it suitable for both informal and formal communication. While alternative phrases like "bread crust" exist, "crust of bread" remains the more prevalent and natural choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

bread crust

Reverses the order of the words, maintaining the same meaning.

piece of bread crust

Adds 'piece of' to specify a portion of the crust.

slice of bread crust

Substitutes 'piece' with 'slice' to refer to cut portion.

end of bread

Refers to the crust as the terminal part of the bread.

heel of bread

Colloquial term for the end crust of a loaf.

bread's outer layer

Describes the crust in terms of its position.

baked bread crust

Adds baked to emphasize the baking process.

hardened bread crust

Uses hardened to emphasize the texture.

edge of the bread

Highlights the crust as the border of the bread.

bread rind

Uses 'rind' as a synonym for 'crust', emphasizing the outer layer.

FAQs

How can I use "crust of bread" in a sentence?

You can use "crust of bread" to describe the outer, often harder part of bread. For example, "He offered the birds a "crust of bread"." or "The soup was served with a "crust of bread" on the side".

What's the difference between "bread crust" and "crust of bread"?

While both phrases refer to the same thing, "crust of bread" is a more common and natural way to phrase it. "Bread crust" is grammatically correct but slightly less frequent.

Is it correct to say "crusts of bread" instead of "crust of bread"?

Yes, "crusts of bread" is the plural form, used when referring to multiple crusts. "Crust of bread" is singular and refers to a single crust.

What does it mean when someone says they are earning their "crust of bread"?

Figuratively, "crust of bread" can mean earning a basic living or livelihood. Someone "earning their "crust of bread"" is working to secure their sustenance.