Gross Meaning
Gross Definition & Usage
Used to describe something that is unpleasantly large, crude, or offensive, especially in terms of appearance or smell.
Examples
- "The kitchen was filled with a gross smell of rotten food."
- "She looked at the dirty plate with disgust, saying, 'This is gross!'"
- "After the party, the house was in a gross state—there was trash everywhere."
- "The kids found a gross bug under the rocks while playing outside."
- "He made a gross joke about his friend's appearance at the dinner table."
Used to describe an amount or number that is total or before deductions (such as salary or income).
Examples
- "His gross salary is much higher than mine, but he pays more in taxes."
- "The gross income for the business this year was $1 million."
- "She earned a gross profit of $5,000 from selling her artwork."
- "Before taxes, the gross value of the property is over $500,000."
- "They reported a gross margin of 25% last quarter."
The total amount of something, especially income, before deductions such as taxes or expenses.
Examples
- "The company reported a gross of $1.2 billion in annual sales."
- "Her gross for the year included all her income from side jobs."
- "We had a gross of $500 from ticket sales last night."
- "After calculating the gross, they started to deduct the operating costs."
- "His gross was impressive, but after taxes, it wasn’t as much as he expected."
Cultural Context
The word 'gross' has two distinct primary uses: one referring to something unpleasant or repulsive, and the other to financial calculations before deductions. Its use to describe something disgusting or crude is common in everyday language, often used in informal settings to express distaste. In business and accounting, 'gross' is frequently used to refer to total amounts, as opposed to 'net' amounts after deductions.
The Gross Business Deal
Story
The Gross Business Deal
At a crowded diner in the middle of the city, Mike and Sarah sat across from each other, waiting for their lunch to arrive. Mike was the first to speak, his face turning pale as he took a deep breath. 'Sarah, you’ve got to see this,' he said, pointing to the unappetizing pile of food in front of him. It was a gross mess of overcooked vegetables, soggy bread, and what appeared to be a strange sauce they couldn’t quite identify. Sarah wrinkled her nose in disgust. 'That’s gross,' she muttered. The waiter had just walked away, unaware of the terrible mistake made with their orders. Mike tried to change the subject but found it difficult. 'You know,' he said, clearing his throat, 'this reminds me of my gross salary last year. I mean, I make good money, but taxes eat up so much of it.' Sarah, who worked in finance, nodded sympathetically. 'Yeah, that’s why you need to focus on your gross income before you start counting the deductions. It's the only way to get a clear picture.' They both chuckled, trying to push away the negative thoughts that the gross meal had stirred. Their conversation turned to business—profits, margins, and how to maximize earnings. In the end, Mike found solace in the fact that despite the gross food, they were making real progress in their careers. Later that evening, Mike reflected on the day. He had experienced both the literal gross—unpleasant and disgusting—and the financial gross—before deductions. Both were important in their own ways, but he couldn’t wait to put the gross lunch behind him.
Related Words
