gross

adjective

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\ ˈgrōs

Definition of gross

(Entry 1 of 4)

1a(1) : glaringly noticeable usually because of inexcusable badness or objectionableness a gross error

(2) : out-and-out, utter a gross injustice

b : visible without the aid of a microscope a gross lesion

c archaic : immediately obvious Now to all sense 'tis gross you love my son.— William Shakespeare

2a : coarse in nature or behavior : unrefined has gross table manners

b : gravely deficient in civility or decency : crudely vulgar merely gross, a scatological rather than a pornographic impropriety— Aldous Huxley

c informal : inspiring disgust or distaste That sandwich looks gross.

3a : of, relating to, or dealing with general aspects or broad distinctions a gross outline of the plan

b : consisting of an overall total exclusive of deductions gross income — compare net

4a : big, bulky

b : growing or spreading with excessive luxuriance a gross riot of vegetation

5 : made up of material or perceptible elements

6 : deficient in knowledge : ignorant, untutored

7 archaic : not fastidious in taste : undiscriminating

gross

verb

grossed; grossing; grosses

Definition of gross (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

: to earn or bring in (an overall total) exclusive of deductions (as for taxes or expenses) The movie grossed over 100 million dollars.

gross

noun (1)

Definition of gross (Entry 3 of 4)

1 : overall total exclusive of deductions The company's gross doubled in five years.

2 obsolete : amount, sum

gross

noun (2)

plural gross

Definition of gross (Entry 4 of 4)

: an aggregate of 12 dozen things a gross of pencils

Other Words from gross Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Phrases Containing gross Learn More About gross

Choose the Right Synonym for gross

Adjective

coarse, vulgar, gross, obscene, ribald mean offensive to good taste or morals. coarse implies roughness, rudeness, or crudeness of spirit, behavior, or language. found the coarse humor of coworkers offensive vulgar often implies boorishness or ill-breeding. a loud vulgar belch gross implies extreme coarseness and insensitiveness. gross eating habits obscene applies to anything strongly repulsive to the sense of decency and propriety especially in sexual matters. obscene language not allowed on the air ribald applies to what is amusingly or picturesquely vulgar or irreverent or mildly indecent. entertained the campers with ribald folk songs

flagrant, glaring, gross, rank mean conspicuously bad or objectionable. flagrant applies usually to offenses or errors so bad that they can neither escape notice nor be condoned. flagrant abuse of the office of president glaring implies painful or damaging obtrusiveness of something that is conspicuously wrong, faulty, or improper. glaring errors gross implies the exceeding of reasonable or excusable limits. gross carelessness rank applies to what is openly and extremely objectionable and utterly condemned. rank heresy

Examples of gross in a Sentence

Adjective They have suffered a gross injustice. She has a gross habit of chewing on the ends of her hair. Verb They grossed $50,000 before taxes.

First Known Use of gross

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1c

Verb

1884, in the meaning defined above

Noun (1)

1579, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for gross

Adjective, Verb, and Noun (1)

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

Noun (2)

Middle English gros, probably from Anglo-French grosse sum, whole, from feminine of gros

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From the Editors at Merriam-Webster

Dictionary Entries Near gross

gros point

gross

Gross

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Cite this Entry

“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gross. Accessed 27 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for gross

gross

adjective

\ ˈgrōs

grosser; grossest

Kids Definition of gross

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : noticeably bad : glaring a gross error

2 : disgusting a gross habit

3 : consisting of a whole before anything is subtracted gross earnings

4 : showing poor manners : vulgar

gross

noun

Kids Definition of gross (Entry 2 of 3)

: the whole before anything is deducted

gross

noun

plural gross

Kids Definition of gross (Entry 3 of 3)

: twelve dozen

gross

adjective

\ ˈgrōs

Medical Definition of gross

1a : glaringly or flagrantly obvious

b : visible without the aid of a microscope : macroscopic gross lesions — compare occult

2 : growing or spreading with excessive or abnormal luxuriance

3 : of, relating to, or dealing with general aspects or broad distinctions important to understand the gross behavior of the sexually responding animal— A. C. Kinsey

gross

adjective

\ ˈgrōs

Legal Definition of gross

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : flagrant or extreme especially in badness or offensiveness : of very blameworthy character a gross violation of the rules of ethics a gross abuse of trust