Cool MateDisgusting vs Gross
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disgusting
Top 2,000 (common)
Gross
InformalTop 2,000 (common)C1adjective
Most formal: Disgusting
| Disgusting | Gross | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 /["/ɡrəʊs/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɡrəʊs/"]/ |
| Meaning | Something very unpleasant or makes you feel sick. | Disgusting or very unpleasant. |
| Example | The taste of the spoiled milk was absolutely disgusting. | **gross weight** *(= including the container or wrapping)* |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | C1 |
| Part of speech | adjective | |
| Collocations | disgusting behavior, disgusting smell, disgusting food, disgusting sight, disgusting habit | gross behavior, gross taste, gross-out humor, gross mistake, gross profit |
| Antonyms | appealing, pleasant, delightful | pleasant, nice, appealing |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'disgusted' which is a feeling rather than a description., Using 'disgusting' to describe emotions instead of objects or actions., Overusing it in descriptions, which can sound exaggerated. | Confused with 'gross' meaning to earn or total in financial contexts., Using it in overly formal settings where a more polite term is needed., Not using it correctly in phrases like 'It's grossed me out' without familiarity. |
| Usage notes | Used to describe strong feelings of dislike or aversion. Generally appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but could be considered impolite in formal situations. | Used to describe something that is very unpleasant or distasteful. Common in casual conversations but may not be suitable for formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Disgusting vs Gross
What's the difference between Disgusting and Gross?
Disgusting: Something very unpleasant or makes you feel sick. Gross: Disgusting or very unpleasant.
Which is more formal: Disgusting and Gross?
Disgusting is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Disgusting: The taste of the spoiled milk was absolutely disgusting. Gross: **gross weight** *(= including the container or wrapping)*
Can I use Disgusting and Gross interchangeably?
Not always. Disgusting and Gross are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.