Main Entry: ¹gross

Pronunciation: \ˈgrōs\

Function: adjective

Etymology: Middle English grosse, from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French gros large, thick, whole, from Late Latin grossus coarse

Date: 14th century

1 a archaic : immediately obvious b (1) : glaringly noticeable usually because of inexcusable badness or objectionableness <a gross error> (2) : out-and-out, utter <a gross injustice> c : visible without the aid of a microscope
2 a : big, bulky; especially : excessively fat b : growing or spreading with excessive luxuriance
3 a : of, relating to, or dealing with general aspects or broad distinctions b : consisting of an overall total exclusive of deductions <gross income> — compare net
4 : made up of material or perceptible elements
5 archaic : not fastidious in taste : undiscriminating
6 a : coarse in nature or behavior : unrefined b : gravely deficient in civility or decency : crudely vulgar <merely gross, a scatological rather than a pornographic impropriety — Aldous Huxley> c : inspiring disgust or distaste <that sandwich looks gross>
7 : deficient in knowledge : ignorant, untutored

synonyms see coarse, flagrant

— gross·ly adverb

— gross·ness noun