What are the definitions of “gross out”?
Learn how to use these expressions through these examples
- 1To disgust or repel someone.
I am going to gross out an entire European nation with my bloody cuticles.
What’s the most common meaning of the phrasal verb “gross out”?
The most common meaning of the phrasal verb gross out is to cause someone to feel disgusted or repelled by something. It is often used to describe a reaction to something unpleasant, such as a disgusting sight, smell, or taste.
What are the different verb forms of “gross out”?
| Root Verb | gross out |
| Third Person Singular Present | grosses out |
| Present Participle | grossing out |
| Simple Past | grossed out |
| Past Participle | grossed out |
Example
The sight of the rotten food grossed out everyone in the room.
Example
The smell of the garbage grosses out the neighbors.
Example
The graphic scene in the movie is grossing out the audience.
Example
The taste of the spoiled milk grossed out the children.
Example
She was grossed out by the slimy texture of the food.
What kind of phrasal verb is “gross out”?
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a transitive and intransitive verb? - A transitive verb always has an object after it. (Example: Sam bought a car.) - An intransitive verb never has an object.(Example: She laughed loudly.)
Transitive verb
“gross out” is a transitive phrasal verb because it requires a direct object to complete its meaning. The direct object specifies what is being removed, obtained, or eliminated.
Example
The sight of the dead rat grossed out the students.
Example
The smell of the sewer grossed them out.
Notes from a Native English Speaker
What is a separable and inseparable phrasal verb? - A “separable phrasal verb” can be separated with an object between the verb and particle. - An “inseparable phrasal verb” cannot be separated by an object.
Inseparable
“gross out” is an inseparable phrasal verb. This means that you can’t place an object between the verb and the particle, otherwise, it changes the meaning of the phrasal verb.
Example
The sight of the dead rat grossed out the students.
Example
The smell of the sewer grossed them out.
What are common phrases and expressions that include the phrasal verb “gross out”?
Gross-out humor
A type of humor that relies on disgusting or shocking content to make people laugh.
Example
The comedian's gross-out humor made some people laugh, while others were disgusted.
Gross-out movie
A film that contains scenes or content intended to disgust or shock the audience.
Example
The gross-out movie was filled with gory special effects and disgusting situations.
Gross-out factor
The level of disgust or repulsion caused by something.
Example
The gross-out factor of the haunted house was high, with realistic and gruesome displays.
Good things to know
Does “gross out” have an informal or formal tone?
Gross out is an informal phrasal verb that is commonly used in everyday conversations. It is not typically used in formal settings or professional writing. Instead, more formal synonyms such as 'disgust' or 'repel' can be used.
