grossly

American  

[grohs-lee] / ˈgroʊs li /

adverb

1. extremely or flagrantly.

   Frankly, this article is nonsense, because the writer is grossly oversimplifying the problem.

2. in an indecent or obscene way; to a degree considered indecent or obscene.

   He contended that the crude remark about the candidate’s mother breached standards of good taste and was "grossly offensive."

3. in a very general, broad, or rough way.

   In the study, early stomach cancer was grossly classified into three major types, based solely on surface characteristics.

4. in a coarse way that shows lack of refinement or good manners.

   He ate grossly, stuffing his mouth with food which the little boy cut up for him on the plate.

5. thickly or densely.

   The trail is grossly overgrown, as it has not been cut back at all this year.

6. Slang. in an extremely disgusting or repulsive way.

   On entering, you’re met by a swarm of grossly dressed uncles—one of them in an undershirt and pajama shorts—milling all over the place.

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Other Word Forms

• overgrossly adverb

Etymology

Origin of grossly

gross ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

Volker Beck, president of the German-Israeli Society, labelled Steinmeier's comments on the war "grossly inappropriate" and said they displayed a "smug know-it-all attitude".

From Barron's • Mar. 24, 2026

Chances are that he has pointed to industries you haven’t expected to be grossly affected by AI.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

The Gates spokesperson said the transactions with Nikolic were significantly below $100 million and that “Epstein’s emails grossly exaggerated his importance and involvement” in the negotiations over Nikolic’s separation.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 6, 2026

Labour's David Smith said it would be a "grossly unjust use of parliamentary procedure".

From BBC • Jan. 30, 2026

“My views have often been grossly misrepresented,” he wrote later, “bitterly opposed and ridiculed, but this has been generally done, as I believe, in good faith.”

From "Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith" by Deborah Heiligman