What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
gross
Example
The smell of the garbage was so gross. [gross: adjective]
Example
He made a gross joke that nobody found funny. [gross: adjective]
disgusting
Example
The food was so disgusting that I couldn't eat it. [disgusting: adjective]
Example
The way he treated his employees was absolutely disgusting. [disgusting: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Disgusting is more commonly used than gross in everyday language, especially in situations where a stronger negative emotion is needed. However, gross is still a common word and can be used in a variety of contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between gross and disgusting?
Both gross and disgusting are informal and casual in tone, and are not typically used in formal or academic writing.
