What does grossly mean?
Grossly is an adverb meaning to an excessive degree, often with the implication that the amount involved is plainly unacceptable. In such uses, as in “grossly inaccurate” or “grossly overstated,” it is stronger and more emphatic than simply “very.” In a less frequent sense, it means “in a coarse, offensive, or repugnant manner,” as when describing conduct or language as gross. The word is standard in formal British and American English, but its tone can vary: as an intensifier it conveys disapproval, while its more literal sense can be openly condemnatory. Though easily mistaken for the related adjective gross, grossly functions as an adverb modifying a verb, adjective, or another adverb. Its usefulness lies in that evaluative force: it signals not merely a large discrepancy, but one so pronounced that it warrants strong criticism. The form comes through English from an adjective whose Latin ancestor was associated with thickness or coarseness, a history that helps explain the contrast between a neutral-sounding intensifier and the word’s more openly negative associations.
adverbTo an excessive or extreme degree. It can also mean in a coarse, offensive, or repugnant manner.
- To an excessive or extreme degree.
- In a coarse, offensive, or repugnant manner.
"The committee condemned the proposal as grossly disproportionate to the needs of the community."
"The report grossly overstated the number of people affected by the outage."
"The witness described the defendant's threats as grossly intimidating."
The word behind phrases such as “grossly inaccurate” began with a Latin adjective meaning “thick” or “coarse.”
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does grossly come from?
The adverb was formed in English by adding the suffix -ly to gross. Gross itself came through Old French gros from Latin grossus, an adjective associated with thickness, bulk, or coarseness; its later senses developed toward excess and moral offensiveness. The Latin root also underlies related English forms such as grossness, grossular, and engross.
How grossly is actually used
Standard in formal and informal British and American English, but usually strongly evaluative. As an intensifier it conveys emphatic disapproval rather than mere numerical magnitude, while the second sense is openly derogatory.
Easily confused with grossly
Gross is an adjective meaning coarse, offensive, or consisting of a total amount, whereas grossly is an adverb indicating excessive degree or an offensive manner.