gross
grohs
Gross (adjective) means disgusting or unpleasant. Example: “That mouldy sandwich in the fridge is gross.”
adjective
1
Disgusting or unpleasant.
"That mouldy sandwich in the fridge is gross."
"It was gross watching him chew with his mouth open."
"The smell from the bin on a hot day was gross."
2
Total, before any deductions such as tax or expenses.
"Her gross salary is higher than what actually lands in her account each month."
"The shop's gross income was much higher than its actual profit."
"Check the gross weight on the label, which includes the packaging."
3
Obvious, glaring, or extreme, often describing something clearly wrong.
"The report revealed a gross violation of safety rules."
"Leaving the children alone for hours was a gross error of judgement."
"The inquiry found gross negligence in how the bridge had been looked after."
noun
1
The total amount earned before deductions.
"The film's gross at the box office topped $200 million."
"The restaurant's gross last month was healthy, but costs ate most of it."
"Subtract the tax from the gross to see what you take home."
2
A group of 144 items (twelve dozen).
"The factory ordered a gross of bottles for the new batch."
"The shop bought a gross of pencils for the new school term."
"A gross of buttons is far too many for one small coat."
verb
1
To earn a total amount before deductions.
"The little shop grossed more over the summer than in the whole of last year."
"Freelancers often gross a decent sum but keep less once their costs are paid."
"The movie grossed $50 million on its opening weekend."
How to use gross
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDepending on context: disgusting, or the total amount before anything is subtracted, or a count of 144.
Common mistake
Don't confuse "gross" (total before deductions) with "net" (what's left after deductions) — they're opposites.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
gross income
gross profit
gross out
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Word forms
- Plural
- grosses
- Third person singular
- grosses
- Past tense
- grossed
- Comparative
- grosser, more gross
- Superlative
- grossest, most gross
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
That mouldy sandwich in the fridge is _____.
Etymology
From Old French gros, "large, thick," from Latin grossus ("big, fat, thick").
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for gross
See all rhymes for gross →Frequently asked questions
What does “gross” mean?
The word “gross” means disgusting or unpleasant. In plain terms, depending on context: disgusting, or the total amount before anything is subtracted, or a count of 144.
How do you pronounce “gross”?
“Gross” is pronounced grohs (/ɡɹoʊs/ in IPA).
How do you use “gross” in a sentence?
Here is “gross” used in a sentence: “That mouldy sandwich in the fridge is gross.”
What part of speech is “gross”?
Depending on how it is used, “gross” can be an adjective, a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “gross” come from?
The word “gross” comes from Latin. From Old French gros, "large, thick," from Latin grossus ("big, fat, thick").
Is “gross” a common word?
“Gross” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “gross” have?
“Gross” has 6 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: disgusting or unpleasant.
What is the difference between gross and net?
This contrast uses a different sense of 'gross,' meaning a total amount. Gross is the full figure before anything is taken away, while net is what remains after deductions. Gross pay is your salary before tax; net pay is what actually lands in your account.
What does gross mean?
Gross has two everyday meanings. As an informal adjective it means disgusting or unpleasant, as in 'that smell is gross.' In money and measurement it means a total before deductions, the opposite of net. Context makes clear which sense is intended, since the two rarely overlap.
Is gross a formal word?
In the sense of disgusting, gross is informal and conversational, better suited to casual speech than formal writing. In its financial sense, such as gross income or gross profit, it is a precise, formal term used in business and accounting. The tone depends entirely on the meaning.
What is an example of gross?
Meaning disgusting, you might say 'the rubbish left a gross mess in the kitchen,' describing something unpleasant. In its other sense, 'the shop's gross sales were high before costs' shows the total-before-deductions meaning. The same word covers both revulsion and totals depending on context.
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