adjective
gross
GROHSS/ɡrəʊs/
Offensively coarse or flagrant in character.
His gross behavior at the dinner table disgusts the other guests.
Etymology
From “thick, coarse,” gross developed a moral sense of “vulgar” or “coarse.” Its modern “disgusting” meaning arose from earlier use to intensify unpleasant qualities, as in “gross stupidity.”
In context
People think that spiders are disgusting and gross.
More examples
- The report exposes gross misconduct by the official.
- Leaving patients unattended is gross negligence.
- The inquiry reveals a gross abuse of authority.
Forms
gross · grosser · grossest
grossly adverb — In an extreme or offensively obvious way.
Similar words
- disgusting
- Emphasizes revulsion rather than crudeness or serious wrongdoing.
- vulgar
- Emphasizes crude language or behavior rather than physical disgust.
- flagrant
- Emphasizes obviously serious wrongdoing rather than disgusting qualities.