Cool MateDisgusting vs That's gross
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Disgusting
Top 2,000 (common)
That's gross
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Disgusting
| Disgusting | That's gross | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ//🇺🇸 //dɪsˈɡʌstɪŋ// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts ɡrəʊs//🇺🇸 //ðæts ɡroʊs// |
| Meaning | Something very unpleasant or makes you feel sick. | It means something is very unpleasant or disgusting. |
| Example | The taste of the spoiled milk was absolutely disgusting. | When I saw that moldy bread, I thought, 'That's gross.' |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | disgusting behavior, disgusting smell, disgusting food, disgusting sight, disgusting habit | that's gross, find something gross, it's gross, gross behavior, gross food |
| Antonyms | appealing, pleasant, delightful | - |
| 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. | Using it to describe something serious or important., Confusing it with 'that's great' when reacting positively., Using it in a sarcastic tone without clear context. |
| 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. | Use in casual conversations. It's not suitable for formal settings or when talking about sensitive topics. |
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Frequently asked questions: Disgusting vs That's gross
What's the difference between Disgusting and That's gross?
Disgusting: Something very unpleasant or makes you feel sick. That's gross: It means something is very unpleasant or disgusting.
Which is more formal: Disgusting and That's 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. That's gross: When I saw that moldy bread, I thought, 'That's gross.'
Can I use Disgusting and That's gross interchangeably?
Not always. Disgusting and That's 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.