1
a(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
William Shakespeare2
a
: 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
Aldous Huxley
c
informal
: inspiring disgust or distaste
That sandwich looks gross.
3
a
: 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
5
: made up of material or perceptible elements
7
archaic
: not fastidious in taste : undiscriminating
grossly
adverb
grossness
noun
grossed; grossing; grosses
: to earn or bring in (an overall total) exclusive of deductions (as for taxes or expenses)
The movie grossed over 100 million dollars.
grosser
noun
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.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
This is a very capable cargo van that can be ordered in 3 roof heights, 3 GVW’s (gross vehicle weight), 1500, 2500 and 3500, and 4 body lengths, so there is a RAM ProMaster van for everyone’s needs.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
The film, which grossed more than $521 million worldwide at the box office, stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s First Family.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Amid the negotiation sessions, actors and musicians had both repeatedly pointed to the high grosses brought in from some Broadway shows this season and last, while producers have pointed to the higher costs of producing shows.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gross
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adjective
Jashanpreet, an Indian national who entered the United States illegally in 2022, has been charged with driving under the influence of drugs, causing bodily injury, and gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, according to San Bernardino County records.
—Mandy Taheri, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 2025
This is a very capable cargo van that can be ordered in 3 roof heights, 3 GVW’s (gross vehicle weight), 1500, 2500 and 3500, and 4 body lengths, so there is a RAM ProMaster van for everyone’s needs.
—Tony Leopardo, Mercury News, 26 Oct. 2025
Verb
The film has grossed more than $165 million globally but remains shy of the domestic threshold at $65 million.
—Clayton Davis, Variety, 24 Oct. 2025
The film, which grossed more than $521 million worldwide at the box office, stars Pedro Pascal, Vanessa Kirby, Joseph Quinn, and Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Marvel’s First Family.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 24 Oct. 2025
Noun
In recent years, despite all of the volatility of theatrical exhibition and ever-shifting windows and release strategies, grosses from premium, large-format locations have continued to gain momentum.
—Dade Hayes, Deadline, 27 Oct. 2025
Amid the negotiation sessions, actors and musicians had both repeatedly pointed to the high grosses brought in from some Broadway shows this season and last, while producers have pointed to the higher costs of producing shows.
—Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 23 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for gross
Cite this Entry
“Gross.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gross. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gross
1 of 4 adjective1
a
: very obvious : glaring
a gross error
b
: shameful sense 1
gross injustice
2
: big entry 1 sense 2a, bulky
especially
: excessively fat
3
: consisting of a whole before any deductions
gross earnings
4
: coarse sense 5, vulgar
gross language
5
informal
: causing disgust or distaste
grossly
adverb
grossness
noun
gross
2 of 4 noun
: a whole before any deductions
gross
3 of 4 verb
: to earn before deductions
grossed $50,000 before taxes
gross
4 of 4 noun
plural gross
: 12 dozen
a gross of pencils
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English gros, gross "large, thick, easy to see or understand," from early French gros "thick, coarse," from Latin grossus (same meaning)
Noun
Middle English gros "a group of 12 dozen," probably from early French grosse "sum, whole," derived from gros "thick"
Medical Definition
gross
adjective1
a
: 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
A. C. Kinsey
grossly
adverb
Legal Definition
gross
1 of 3 adjective1
: 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
2
: consisting of an overall total exclusive of deductions
gross annual earnings
compare net
grossly
adverb
grossness
noun
gross
2 of 3 noun
: overall total exclusive of deductions
gross
3 of 3 transitive verb
: to earn or bring in (an overall total) exclusive of deductions (as for taxes or expenses)
Etymology
Adjective
Middle English, immediately obvious, from Middle French gros thick, coarse, from Latin grossus
Biographical Definition
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