gross appetite

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gross appetite" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an excessive or insatiable desire for food or consumption in a figurative sense. Example: "After the long hike, I had a gross appetite and devoured everything in sight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Sancho Panza, Don Quixote's squire in the novel Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes, a short, pot-bellied peasant whose gross appetite, common sense, and vulgar wit serve as a foil to the mad idealism of his master.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Excerpted from The People's Almanac by David Wallechinsky and Irving Wallace HONORÉ DE BALZAC (1799 1850) Balzac, one of the supreme writers of realistic fiction, was, in his own life, a man of gross appetites and pretensions as well as of gargantuan genius and accomplishment.

Vice

"You used an array of threats and violence to force your victims to satisfy your gross sexual appetite," Judge Duckett said.

The Guardian

He was seen as gross in his appetites and tastes -- and he can be -- but he also proved to be extraordinarily subtle, sometimes far more subtle than was good for him.

The New York Times

Apparently many of us share her appetite for gross caricatures of good and evil, and come out of this as graceless as she.

The New York Times

The review praises the "thorough table training" and the food, especially the flamed dishes and the fresh herbs, unusual in 1950s America; the only fault, for the Times, is its succumbing to the national appetite for "gross" portions.

The Guardian

Animals were observed for gross changes such as loss of appetite, hair erection, lacrimation, tremors, convulsions, salivation, diarrhoea, mortality and other signs of overt toxicity [ 21].

BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine

Although, with "Jurassic World" grossing more than $1.5 billion worldwide, the appetite for these dinosaur films is definitely there.

Los Angeles Times

Given the huge crowds flocking to the Armory show, the public seems to have an appetite for a mass-scale gross-out.

The New York Times

The touchingly faithful movie adaptation of "The X-Men," which leapt to a $54 million gross on its opening weekend, proves that there's an appetite and an audience for comic-hero movies.

The New York Times

In an affecting book, Rawls demonstrates that she both loved and understood the older woman: "Tallulah could be savage, her appetites of mind and body wild and sometimes gross, as if everything had to be possessed and devoured and destroyed.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "gross appetite", consider the context carefully, as "gross" can sometimes carry negative connotations. Ensure that it accurately reflects the intended meaning of excessive or unrefined desire.

Common error

Avoid using "gross appetite" when you intend to convey a positive sense of large or healthy appetite. "Gross" implies something unrefined or excessive. Consider alternatives like "healthy appetite" or "hearty appetite" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross appetite" functions as a noun phrase where "gross" is an adjective modifying the noun "appetite". It describes the quality or nature of the appetite. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English, implying an excessive or unrefined desire.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Encyclopedias

18%

Science

18%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gross appetite" is a grammatically correct phrase used to describe an excessive or unrefined desire. While usable, the word "gross" can carry negative connotations, so it's important to consider the context when choosing this phrase. Ludwig AI confirms its usability, but also suggests considering alternatives like "voracious appetite" or "insatiable hunger" to avoid negative implications. This phrase appears most frequently in news and media, encyclopedias, and scientific sources, indicating a relatively broad but not overly formal usage. Choosing precise language will ensure clear and effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

voracious appetite

Implies an insatiable hunger or desire, emphasizing the quantity consumed.

insatiable hunger

Focuses specifically on hunger that cannot be satisfied.

excessive craving

Highlights the intensity and potentially unhealthy nature of the desire.

uncontrolled desire

Emphasizes the lack of restraint in pursuing a want or need.

extreme hunger

Similar to insatiable hunger but could refer to a wider kind of needs, is more related to the physiological status.

boundless appetite

Suggests that there is no limit to the desire or hunger.

unrestrained craving

Emphasizes the lack of control in pursuing a desire or need.

immoderate desire

Implies that the wish is beyond reasonable bounds.

gluttonous hunger

Describes a large hunger and has a negative connotation, as implies greed.

inordinate longing

Refers to the intensity and potential inappropriateness of the desire.

FAQs

How can I use "gross appetite" in a sentence?

You can use "gross appetite" to describe someone who has an unrefined or excessive desire for something, as in, "The character's "gross appetite" for wealth led him to make unethical decisions".

What's the difference between "gross appetite" and "voracious appetite"?

"Gross appetite" implies an unrefined or excessive hunger, while "voracious appetite" typically refers to an insatiable hunger. "Voracious" is often used in a more neutral or even admiring context, whereas "gross" carries a slightly negative connotation.

What can I say instead of "gross appetite" if I want to avoid negative connotations?

You can use phrases like "hearty appetite", "healthy appetite", or "substantial appetite" depending on the context. These alternatives avoid the negative implication of the term "gross".

Is it appropriate to use "gross appetite" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "gross appetite" might be considered too informal or negatively connotative for formal writing. It is preferable to use a more neutral term like "excessive appetite" or "insatiable appetite" in professional or academic contexts.