Definition of Gross
The word gross has multiple meanings across different contexts, including finance, legal, business, and everyday language. It can function as an adjective, noun, or verb.
- Adjective:
- Total, before any deductions (e.g., gross income).
- Extremely obvious or glaring (e.g., gross negligence).
- Disgusting or offensive (e.g., That food looks gross!).
- Noun:
- A total amount without deductions (e.g., The gross of all sales).
- A dozen dozen (144 items) (e.g., A gross of pencils).
- Verb:
- To earn a total amount before deductions (e.g., The movie grossed $100 million).
Synonyms for Gross
Strongest Matches (Exact or Near-Exact Synonyms)
- For “total” meaning: overall, whole, entire, aggregate, comprehensive
- For “disgusting” meaning: repulsive, revolting, hideous, nasty, vile
- For “obvious” meaning: blatant, flagrant, glaring, egregious
- For “144 items” meaning: dozen-dozen
Strong Matches (Contextual Synonyms)
- For “total” meaning: full, sum, combined
- For “disgusting” meaning: grotesque, filthy, appalling, abhorrent
- For “obvious” meaning: clear, conspicuous, overt
Weak Matches (Loosely Related Words)
- For “total” meaning: inclusive, final, ultimate
- For “disgusting” meaning: unpleasant, undesirable
- For “obvious” meaning: apparent, evident
Example Sentences Using ‘Gross’
- Financial: The company reported a gross revenue of $10 million before expenses.
- Disgusting: That soup looks gross! I wouldn’t eat it even if I were starving.
- Obvious Mistake: It was a gross miscalculation that led to the project’s failure.
- Measurement: He ordered a gross of pencils for the classroom.
- Earnings: The movie grossed $200 million worldwide.
Contextual Usage of ‘Gross’
- Business & Finance: Used to indicate total earnings before deductions (gross salary, gross profit).
- Law & Ethics: Used to highlight severity in misconduct (gross negligence, gross injustice).
- Colloquial Speech: Commonly used to describe something repulsive (That’s so gross!).
- Mathematics & Measurement: Refers to the unit of 144 items (a gross of eggs).
Related Words & Phrases
- In Finance: net, revenue, profit, expenses
- In Law: malpractice, negligence, recklessness
- In Everyday Use: nasty, dirty, disgusting, appalling
- In Measurement: dozen, bulk, volume
Additional Information
The word gross originates from the Latin grossus, meaning “thick” or “coarse,” which evolved into Old French and later Middle English, retaining meanings related to largeness and severity.
Disclaimer
This page provides general information about the word gross and its meanings across different contexts. While we strive for accuracy, language evolves, and usage can vary. Always refer to industry-specific guidelines or dictionaries for precise applications.
