grossly

[grohs-lee]

adverb

1. extremely or flagrantly.

   Frankly, this article is nonsense, because the writer is grossly oversimplifying the problem.

2. in an indecent or obscene way; to a degree considered indecent or obscene.

   He contended that the crude remark about the candidate’s mother breached standards of good taste and was "grossly offensive."

3. in a very general, broad, or rough way.

   In the study, early stomach cancer was grossly classified into three major types, based solely on surface characteristics.

4. in a coarse way that shows lack of refinement or good manners.

   He ate grossly, stuffing his mouth with food which the little boy cut up for him on the plate.

5. thickly or densely.

   The trail is grossly overgrown, as it has not been cut back at all this year.

6. Slang.,  in an extremely disgusting or repulsive way.

   On entering, you’re met by a swarm of grossly dressed uncles—one of them in an undershirt and pajama shorts—milling all over the place.

Other Word Forms

• overgrossly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of grossly¹

gross ( def. ) + -ly

Example Sentences

He says it was a life-changing experience he felt "grossly underprepared" for, adding that "there was no one really for me to talk to".

Read more on BBC

“It is grossly illegal, it’s immoral, it’s rather delusional.”

Read more on Los Angeles Times

County Superior Court that the tractor-trailer drivers’ conduct was “grossly negligent” — and that “lax security” by the company allowed the theft to occur.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Sir Lenny argues that black British people are grossly over-represented in the prison population and that there are relatively higher levels of black unemployment "all because of the transatlantic slave trade".

Read more on BBC

Minter also said that Chiles has grossly “mischaracterized the law” in their arguments, particularly as it relates to what this law actually does and does not prohibit a doctor from doing.

Read more on Salon