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."
separable
gross out
B1 informal separable transitive
To disgust or nauseate someone, or to feel intensely disgusted.
In plain English
To make someone feel really disgusted or sick — like seeing something horrible or smelling something awful.
What does "gross out" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
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."
separable
Literal vs figurative
Words literally mean
To make something gross come out — informal extension of 'gross' as an adjective meaning disgusting.
Actually means
To make someone feel really disgusted or sick — like seeing something horrible or smelling something awful.
Usage tip
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.
Words that pair with "gross out"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
smell sight scene food behaviour humour
How to conjugate "gross out"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
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
Hear "gross out" in the wild
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Other ways to say "gross out"
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