Gross

/ɡɹəʊs/ · adjective

Meaning

(of behaviour) Highly or conspicuously offensive..

Definitions by Sense

1. (of behaviour) Highly or conspicuously offensive.
2. Of an amount: excluding any deductions; including all associated amounts.
3. (sciences, pathology) Seen without a microscope (usually for a tissue or an organ); at a large scale; not detailed.
4. (informal, Australia, Canada, US) Causing disgust.
5. Lacking refinement in behaviour or manner; offending a standard of morality.
6. (of a product) Lacking refinement; not of high quality.
7. (of a substance) Dense, heavy.
8. (of a person) Heavy in proportion to one's height; having a lot of excess flesh.

Example Sentences

a gross mistake; gross injustice; gross negligence; a gross insult

Henry IV. My gracious uncle, let me know my fault: / On what condition stands it and wherein? / Edmund of Langley. Even in condition of the worst degree, / In gross rebellion and detested treason:

Your very faults, how gross soere, to me / Have something pleasing in ’em.

[…] I thank Heaven I have had Time to reflect on my past Life, where though I cannot charge myself with any gross Villainy, yet I can discern Follies and Vices too sufficient to repent and to be ashamed of;

[H]ad his actions been what Wickham represented them, so gross a violation of every thing right could hardly have been concealed from the world; […]

[H]e has been found guilty, on the clearest evidence, first, of stealing a valuable motor-car; secondly, of driving to the public danger; and, thirdly, of gross impertinence to the rural police.

gross domestic product; gross income; gross weight

What is the gross sum that I owe thee?

Synonyms for gross

Antonyms for gross

Related Words

Word Forms

• grosser
• more gross
• grossest
• most gross
• gross
• grosses
• grossing
• grossed

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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