Gross vs. Disgusting — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 3, 2024
Gross refers to something extremely unpleasant to the senses or feelings, often implying a general sense of offensiveness. Disgusting emphasizes a strong sense of revulsion, typically related to taste or smell.
Difference Between Gross and Disgusting
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Key Differences
Gross is a term used to describe something that is broadly unpleasant or causes discomfort, whether it be due to appearance, behavior, or a general situation. It can apply to a wide range of contexts, from financial figures to personal hygiene, indicating something objectionable or offensive. On the other hand, disgusting specifically triggers a visceral reaction, particularly of revulsion or nausea. It is often used in contexts related to the senses, especially taste and smell, implying something so repellant that it elicits a physical response.
While "gross" might refer to an uncomfortable level of excess (e.g., gross exaggeration, gross income), indicating something large in scale or degree that might be overwhelming or difficult to handle, "disgusting" zeroes in on the sensory experience of extreme displeasure. For instance, while a room can be gross due to untidiness, rotten food would be described as disgusting because of its potential to induce nausea.
In social contexts, what is considered gross versus disgusting can vary widely among individuals and cultures, reflecting differing thresholds for unpleasantness and revulsion. A behavior deemed gross in one culture might be seen as merely unconventional in another, whereas something universally found to be disgusting, like the smell of decay, taps into basic human instincts.
The subjective nature of both terms means their use can significantly impact the tone and implication of a statement. Calling something gross might suggest a personal limit of tolerance has been breached, while labeling something as disgusting conveys a stronger, often more unanimous condemnation, suggesting it is beyond mere personal preference and into the realm of universal human aversion.
Both terms have evolved colloquially to express strong reactions to non-physical concepts, such as ideas or actions. For example, an ethically questionable decision might be called gross, implying a moral excess or lack of restraint, whereas a morally repugnant action could be described as disgusting, indicating it evokes a strong, instinctual condemnation.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Broadly unpleasant or offensive in various contexts.
Evoking a strong sense of revulsion, typically through the senses.
Context of Use
Can be used in physical, financial, or social contexts.
Primarily used in contexts involving sensory experiences.
Intensity
Implies a general sense of offensiveness or discomfort.
Indicates a visceral reaction of revulsion or nausea.
Examples
Gross misconduct, gross income, a gross scene.
Disgusting smell, disgusting behavior, disgusting taste.
Subjective Nature
Varied use reflecting personal or cultural thresholds.
Often implies a universal human aversion.
Compare with Definitions
Gross
Extremely unpleasant or offensive.
The movie was filled with gross violence.
Disgusting
Arousing revulsion or strong indignation.
They left a disgusting mess in the kitchen.
Gross
Very general; not refined or detailed.
We only have a gross estimate of the project's cost.
Disgusting
Offensive to the sense of taste or smell.
The disgusting odor made us leave the room.
Gross
Obvious or blatant.
The error in the report was a gross oversight.
Disgusting
Extremely unpleasant to the senses.
The sight was so disgusting, I had to look away.
Gross
Total, without deductions (financial context).
Her gross salary is higher than I expected.
Disgusting
Repugnant to the mind.
The idea of cheating is disgusting to me.
Gross
Coarse or vulgar.
His jokes are just too gross for my taste.
Disgusting
Morally reprehensible.
Their treatment of the animals was absolutely disgusting.
Gross
Exclusive of deductions; total
Gross profits.
Disgusting
Arousing disgust; repugnant.
Gross
Unmitigated in any way; utter
Gross incompetence.
Disgusting
Causing disgust; repulsive; distasteful.
Gross
So obvious or conspicuous as to cause or heighten offense
Gross injustice.
Disgusting
Present participle of disgust
Gross
Brutishly coarse, as in behavior; crude
"It is futile to expect a hungry and squalid population to be anything but violent and gross" (Thomas H. Huxley).
Disgusting
That causes disgust; sickening; offensive; revolting.
Gross
Disgusting or offensive
Don't you think slugs are gross? He told a gross joke.
Disgusting
Highly offensive; arousing aversion or disgust;
A disgusting smell
Distasteful language
A loathsome disease
The idea of eating meat is repellent to me
Revolting food
A wicked stench
Gross
Overweight; corpulent
"Sally is fat. She is gross. She must weigh twelve stone and more" (Margaret Drabble).
Gross
On a large scale; not fine or detailed
Gross anatomical similarities.
Gross motor skills.
Gross
Broad; general
The gross necessities of life.
Gross
Pl. gross·es The entire body or amount, as of income, before necessary deductions have been made.
Gross
Pl. gross Abbr. gr. or gro. A group of 144 items; 12 dozen.
Gross
To earn as a total income or profit before deductions
The store grossed $10,000 last month.
Gross
(of behaviour considered to be wrong) Highly or conspicuously offensive.
A gross mistake;
Gross injustice;
Gross negligence; a gross insult
Gross
(of an amount) Excluding any deductions; including all associated amounts.
Gross domestic product; gross income; gross weight
Gross
Seen without a microscope (usually for a tissue or an organ); at a large scale; not detailed.
Gross anatomy
Gross
Causing disgust.
I threw up all over the bed. It was totally gross.
Gross
Lacking refinement in behaviour or manner; offending a standard of morality.
Gross
(of a product) Lacking refinement; not of high quality.
Gross
(of a person) Heavy in proportion to one's height; having a lot of excess flesh.
Gross
Difficult or impossible to see through.
Gross
(archaic) Not sensitive in perception or feeling.
Gross
(obsolete) Easy to perceive.
Gross
Twelve dozen = 144.
Gross
The total nominal earnings or amount, before taxes, expenses, exceptions or similar are deducted. That which remains after all deductions is called net.
Gross
The bulk, the mass, the masses.
Gross
(transitive) To earn money, not including expenses.
The movie grossed three million on the first weekend.
Gross
Great; large; bulky; fat; of huge size; excessively large.
A gross body of horse under the Duke.
Gross
Coarse; rough; not fine or delicate.
Gross
Not easily aroused or excited; not sensitive in perception or feeling; dull; witless.
Tell her of things that no gross ear can hear.
Gross
Expressing, or originating in, animal or sensual appetites; hence, coarse, vulgar, low, obscene, or impure.
The terms which are delicate in one age become gross in the next.
Gross
Disgusting; repulsive; highly offensive; as, a gross remark.
Gross
Thick; dense; not attenuated; as, a gross medium.
Gross
Great; palpable; serious; vagrant; shameful; as, a gross mistake; gross injustice; gross negligence.
Gross
Whole; entire; total; without deduction; as, the gross sum, or gross amount, the gross weight; - opposed to net.
Gross
The main body; the chief part, bulk, or mass.
For the gross of the people, they are considered as a mere herd of cattle.
Gross
The number of twelve dozen; twelve times twelve; as, a gross of bottles; ten gross of pens.
Gross
Twelve dozen
Gross
The entire amount of income before any deductions are made
Gross
Earn before taxes, expenses, etc.
Gross
Before any deductions;
Gross income
Gross
Visible to the naked eye (especially of rocks and anatomical features)
Gross
Of general aspects or broad distinctions;
The gross details of the structure appear reasonable
Gross
Repellently fat;
A bald porcine old man
Gross
Conspicuously and outrageously bad or reprehensible;
A crying shame
An egregious lie
Flagrant violation of human rights
A glaring error
Gross ineptitude
Gross injustice
Rank treachery
Gross
Without qualification; used informally as (often pejorative) intensifiers;
An arrant fool
A complete coward
A consummate fool
A double-dyed villain
Gross negligence
A perfect idiot
Pure folly
What a sodding mess
Stark staring mad
A thoroughgoing villain
Utter nonsense
Gross
Conspicuously and tastelessly indecent;
Coarse language
A crude joke
Crude behavior
An earthy sense of humor
A revoltingly gross expletive
A vulgar gesture
Full of language so vulgar it should have been edited
Common Curiosities
How do cultural differences affect what is considered gross or disgusting?
Cultural norms and values significantly influence these perceptions, leading to variations in what is deemed unacceptable or repulsive.
Can the term "gross" be used in a positive context?
Rarely, as it typically denotes excessiveness or offensiveness; however, it can be used humorously or ironically.
Is disgusting always related to physical sensations?
Primarily, though it can also describe actions or behaviors that are morally repugnant.
Are there any synonyms that can replace "gross" or "disgusting"?
Yes, terms like "repellent", "revolting", or "nauseating" can be used, depending on the context.
What makes something gross?
Something is considered gross if it's broadly unpleasant, offensive, or exceeds acceptable limits in any context.
Can the use of "gross" in financial terms ever overlap with its use in describing unpleasantness?
Not directly, though excessive or unaccounted financial figures might metaphorically be called "gross" in a negative light.
Why might someone use "gross" to describe a moral failing?
To emphasize the extent or blatancy of the failing, suggesting it's as objectionable as something unpleasant to the senses.
What does disgusting specifically refer to?
Disgusting refers to things that evoke a strong sense of revulsion, particularly through sensory experiences.
How do media and entertainment influence our perceptions of what is gross or disgusting?
They can desensitize or heighten our reactions by frequently exposing us to various depictions of grossness or disgust.
How do children and adults differ in their perceptions of gross versus disgusting?
Children might find more things gross due to curiosity and lower tolerance levels, whereas adults have more defined boundaries of disgust based on experience and societal norms.
Can something be both gross and disgusting?
Yes, particularly if it's excessively unpleasant and also evokes a visceral reaction.
How should I decide whether to use "gross" or "disgusting"?
Consider the context and intensity of the reaction you wish to convey; "disgusting" is stronger and more specific to sensory repulsion.
Can the understanding of what is gross or disgusting evolve over time?
Yes, as society changes and individuals mature, perceptions of what is considered gross or disgusting can shift.
Is it possible for personal preferences to shift what one considers gross or disgusting?
Absolutely, personal experiences, knowledge, and changes in perspective can alter one's thresholds for both.
Does the severity of a situation influence whether it's called gross or disgusting?
Yes, "disgusting" often implies a more intense or immediate reaction, especially in moral or sensory contexts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
