WordGarden.iorusk
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /rˈʌsk/
US
- /ˈrəsk/
Meanings
Noun
a dry crisp bread or biscuit, often eaten as a snack or with tea
Beyond the definition
A rusk is a hard, dry biscuit or piece of bread that has been baked until crisp, often by baking it twice. Because it keeps well and does not go stale quickly, it has long been used as a simple food for travel or storage. People often eat it with tea, coffee, or milk, dipping it to soften it a little before taking a bite.
In everyday use, the word can mean a plain crunchy biscuit, a dried bread slice, or a teething biscuit for babies and young children. The exact kind depends on the country, but the main idea stays the same: something dry, firm, and made to last.
The word "rusk" refers to a hard, dry baked food, usually a biscuit or a slice of bread that has been baked again until crisp. The extra baking removes moisture, which helps it stay fresh for a long time. That is why rusks have often been valued as practical food: they travel well, store well, and can be eaten slowly with a drink.
In different places, a rusk may look a little different. In some countries, it is a plain dried bread slice. In others, it is closer to a firm biscuit that is meant to be dipped in tea, coffee, or milk. The word is also used for teething biscuits made for babies and young children. In all of these cases, the shared idea is dryness, hardness, and a crisp texture.
Historically, rusks were useful when fresh bread was not easy to keep. Sailors, soldiers, and travelers carried them because they lasted much longer than ordinary bread. Some forms were similar to hardtack, though the exact product varied by place and time.
So when someone mentions a rusk, they usually mean a simple, very dry baked food made to last: something plain, crunchy, and often better after a quick dip in a hot drink.
Examples
- 1
Baby food
She gave the baby a rusk to chew on during the train ride.
- 2
Tea
He dipped a rusk in his tea until it softened.
- 3
Travel food
We bought a packet of rusks for the trip because they keep well.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- rusknounverb
Forms
- ruskspluralnounverb
- ruskedpast tenseverbnoun
- rusking-ing formverbnoun