gross out

USAGE SUMMARY

"gross out" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used as a verb meaning to cause someone to feel disgust or revulsion. For example: "The horror movie was so gory it grossed me out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Sometimes it's a little gross out there," she said.

The New Yorker

"Sometimes it's a little gross out there,'' she said.

The New Yorker

Sometimes, I like gross out humor.

Huffington Post

It had the largest box office gross out of the Austen adaptations of the 1990s.

Wikipedia

The food combinations you've come to love would gross out the guy from Bizarre Foods.

Huffington Post

This may annoy and gross out others.

WikiHow

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Your gross out-of-pocket to live there is now $537/month.

Huffington Post

The drawback: gross-out humor.

The New York Times - Arts

This is the gross-out gone existential.

The New York Times - Books

Gross-out pictures of worm extractions.

The New York Times

Profanity, nudity and gross-out slapstick.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "gross out" when you want to emphasize the act of causing someone to feel disgusted or repulsed by something.

Common error

While effective, relying too heavily on "gross out" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "disgust", "repulse", or more descriptive phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrasal verb "gross out" primarily functions to describe the action of causing disgust or revulsion in someone. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and common usage as a verb. The examples provided further illustrate this function in different contexts.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

17%

Huffington Post

17%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "gross out" is a phrasal verb used to describe the act of causing someone to feel disgusted or repulsed. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and while not extremely frequent, its use is appropriate in informal contexts like news and media as shown in the provided examples. Consider alternative phrases like "disgust" or "repulse" to add variety to your writing. Be mindful of overusing it and ensure it aligns with the tone and audience of your writing. Though infrequent, the expression has its niche in adding flavor to descriptions involving strong negative reactions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

disgust

Single word alternative conveying the same feeling of revulsion.

repulse

Similar to "disgust", but emphasizes the act of pushing someone away.

revolt

Suggests a strong feeling of disgust and opposition.

sicken

Implies causing someone to feel physically ill with disgust.

nauseate

Similar to "sicken", but specifically refers to causing nausea.

offend

Suggests causing displeasure or outrage, often through something considered distasteful.

put off

Informal way of saying something is unappealing or creates a negative reaction.

turn off

Similar to "put off", often used in the context of something sexually unappealing.

make someone's skin crawl

Idiomatic expression conveying a strong feeling of revulsion or unease.

churn someone's stomach

Idiomatic expression suggesting a feeling of nausea and disgust.

FAQs

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

You can use "gross out" as a verb, meaning to cause someone to feel disgust. For example, "The movie scene was designed to "gross out" the audience."

What does it mean when something "grosses me out"?

If something "grosses you out", it means that it disgusts or repulses you. It creates a feeling of strong aversion.

What are some synonyms for "gross out"?

Some alternatives to "gross out" include "disgust", "repulse", "revolt", or "sicken". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "gross out" formal or informal?

"Gross out" is generally considered an informal expression. It's more appropriate for casual conversation or writing than for formal academic or professional contexts.