gross out
B1 informal separable transitive
In simple words
To make someone feel really disgusted or sick — like seeing something horrible or smelling something awful.
Literal meaning: To make something gross come out — informal extension of 'gross' as an adjective meaning disgusting.
Meanings
1 B1
idiomatic
informal
To cause someone to feel intense disgust or revulsion.
"The horror film grossed everyone out with its extremely realistic special effects."
Grammar: separable
2 B1
idiomatic
informal
To feel disgusted oneself, often described in the passive ('grossed out').
"She was completely grossed out when she found mold growing inside her water bottle."
Grammar: separable
Usage notes
Very common in informal American English, popular since the 1970s. Widely used among young speakers. Often used as an adjective in past participle form: 'I was totally grossed out.' The noun 'gross-out' (e.g. 'gross-out humour') is also common.
Commonly used with
smell sight scene food behaviour humour
Forms
Base
gross out
I/you/we/they
3rd person
grosses out
he/she/it
Past simple
grossed out
yesterday
Past participle
grossed out
have + pp
-ing form
grossing out
continuous
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Synonyms
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