gross joke

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "gross joke" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a joke that is considered distasteful, offensive, or inappropriate. Example: "I can't believe he made that gross joke at the party; it made everyone uncomfortable."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

Actually, a cabdriver told me this very gross joke, but I blocked it out.

The New York Times - Magazine

Their sense of humor informed National Lampoon, 'Saturday Night Live,' 'Jackass,' Eminem's music, one out of every seven tweets on Twitter, and every gross joke in every comic ever".

The New York Times - Arts

Mr. Teller is extremely funny and gregarious, at once sensitive (he created a book-length series of photos around Ed, who is the spitting image of his dad) and capable of the gross joke.

The New York Times

Senator McCain's prescription for killing Iranian people, beyond a gross joke, is a reflection of a sad reality: a foreign policy that suffers from severe miscalculations and lack of principles.

Huffington Post

Sexual assault and harassment in its many forms is as normalized and commonplace as ditching gym, sneaking a cigarette in the parking lot, drinking beers at a party, or making a gross joke at a girl's expense and memorializing it in the pages of a school publication.

Vice

Sexual assault and harassment in its many forms is as normalised and commonplace as ditching gym, sneaking a cigarette in the parking lot, drinking beers at a party, or making a gross joke at a girl's expense and memorialising it in the pages of a school publication.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

They described "incredibly gross jokes" in the National Assembly and feeling the need to wear trousers to make a speech.

The New York Times

Court documents say attendants are commonly subject to gross jokes, inappropriate touching, and even blatant demands for sexual favours.

Vice

Sen. McCain's obsession of cold-blooded, gross jokes about killing people is not an image the United States seeks for itself beyond its borders.

Huffington Post

Don't act crazy or make up gross jokes or comments.

WikiHow

Maybe he and his friends make gross jokes, fart noises, and whatever else it is that guys do.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing humor, be specific about what makes the joke "gross". Is it the subject matter, the delivery, or the potential impact on the audience? Providing context helps your reader understand the nature of the humor being discussed.

Common error

While "gross joke" is understandable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language by using synonyms like "offensive joke" or "crude joke", or by describing the specific elements that make the joke distasteful.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "gross joke" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "gross" modifies the noun "joke". It identifies a specific type of joke characterized by its distasteful or offensive nature. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples illustrating its usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

17%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "gross joke" is a grammatically sound and understandable way to describe a joke that is considered distasteful or offensive. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples, which reveals that the phrase is most frequently found in news and media contexts. While not incredibly common, it's a useful term for categorizing a specific type of humor. When using the phrase, consider providing context to clarify what makes the joke "gross", and avoid overuse by exploring synonyms like "offensive joke" or "vulgar joke".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

vulgar joke

Emphasizes the lack of refinement or good taste.

offensive joke

Focuses on the potential to cause hurt feelings or outrage.

crude joke

Highlights the unpolished or raw nature of the humor.

distasteful joke

Stresses the unpleasant or objectionable quality of the joke.

inappropriate joke

Indicates the joke is unsuitable for a particular situation or audience.

obscene joke

Highlights the morally repugnant nature.

bawdy joke

Suggests a risqué or sexually suggestive nature.

smutty joke

Implies the joke is dirty or indecent.

sick joke

Indicates the humor is derived from something unpleasant.

tasteless joke

Focuses on the lack of aesthetic or social sensitivity.

FAQs

What does the term "gross joke" mean?

A "gross joke" is a joke that is considered distasteful, offensive, or inappropriate due to its subject matter, which might involve bodily functions, sexuality, or other taboo topics.

What are some alternatives to saying "gross joke"?

You can use alternatives such as "offensive joke", "crude joke", or "vulgar joke" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use the term "gross joke"?

The term "gross joke" is appropriate when you want to describe a joke that is considered distasteful or offensive. Be mindful of your audience and the context, as the term itself can be subjective.

What's the difference between a "gross joke" and a "dark joke"?

A "gross joke" typically relies on shock value related to bodily functions or taboo subjects, while a "dark joke" often finds humor in tragic or morbid topics. Although there are nuances and overlaps, there are distinctive elements to each type of joke.