gross

¹gross

adj \ˈgrōs\

Definition of GROSS

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

— gross·ly adverb

— gross·ness noun

Examples of GROSS

1. They have suffered a gross injustice.
2. She has a gross habit of chewing on the ends of her hair.

Origin of GROSS

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

First Known Use: 14th century

Related to GROSS

Synonyms: bawdy, blue, coarse, crude, dirty, filthy, foul, obscene, gutter, impure, indecent, lascivious, lewd, locker-room, nasty, pornographic, porny, profane, raunchy, ribald, smutty, stag, trashy, unprintable, vulgar, wanton, X-rated

Antonyms: clean, decent, G-rated, nonobscene, wholesome

Related Words: broad, coarse-grained, gamy (or gamey), off, off-color (or off-colored), racy, risqué, salacious, salty, suggestive; barnyard, earthy, scatological; immodest, indecorous, indelicate, low, unbecoming; depraved, kinky, louche, naughty, perverse, perverted, wicked; exceptionable, objectionable, unacceptable, undesirable, unwanted, unwelcome; abhorrent, debasing, disgusting, loathsome, offensive, repellent (also repellant), repugnant, repulsive, revolting; distasteful, obnoxious, unpleasant; blamable, blameworthy, censurable, reprehensible; atrocious, infamous; abusive, scurrilous; hard-core, soft, soft-core

Near Antonyms: priggish, prim, prudish, puritanical, staid, straitlaced (or straightlaced), Victorian; correct, decorous, genteel, nice, polite, proper, respectable, seemly; innocuous, inoffensive; acceptable, agreeable, desirable, pleasant, pleasing, welcome; appropriate, becoming, fit, meet, suitable; immaculate, perfect, pure, spotless, virginal; approved, endorsed (also indorsed), sanctioned

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See Synonym Discussion at coarse, flagrant

Rhymes with GROSS

Bose, close, dose, os