What does grossest mean?
Grossest is the superlative form of gross and ordinarily means the most disgusting, offensive, vulgar, or contemptible example of something. It is especially forceful when describing behaviour, speech, material, or conditions: a joke may be called someone's grossest, while an insult may be described as the grossest ever received. The word can also have a technical commercial sense, as in grossest earnings, meaning the greatest total amount before expenses or other deductions. Its historical vocabulary originally emphasized physical size, thickness, or coarseness, but English later extended gross to mean vulgar and repellent. Today, grossest is therefore at its most familiar as an emphatic superlative expressing moral or sensory disgust, although its financial use is firmly established in formal business language. It is useful because it conveys not merely that something is offensive, but that it is the most offensive instance the speaker can identify.
adjective (superlative)The superlative of gross, meaning most disgusting, offensive, vulgar, or coarse. In financial and commercial contexts, it can mean greatest in total amount before deductions.
- Most disgusting, offensive, or contemptible.
- Greatest in amount before deductions, especially of income, earnings, or revenue.
- Most coarse, vulgar, or lacking refinement.
"That was the grossest insult the politician could have delivered."
"The comedian's grossest joke targeted the audience's embarrassment rather than any individual."
"The company reported the grossest earnings in its history despite sharply rising costs."
Gross began by describing physical coarseness; its superlative can now deliver the most withering condemnation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grossest come from?
Grossest is formed by adding the English superlative ending -est to gross. English gross came through Middle English and Old French gros from Latin grossus, meaning thick, coarse, or bulky. Related French gros, Italian grosso, and English grossular also trace their names to Latin forms associated with grossus.
Related word forms
How grossest is actually used
In its evaluative senses, grossest is strongly critical and often hyperbolic. The financial sense is formal and technical; elsewhere, the word can sound informal or emphatic depending on context.
Easily confused with grossest
Gross is the base adjective, while grossest is its superlative form, meaning most gross.
Grossly is an adverb meaning to a great or excessive extent, whereas grossest is the superlative adjective.