grossly
grossly Lexical Profile
grossly Game Scores & Validity
• adverb
In a flagrant, extreme, or unacceptable degree; used primarily to modify negative qualities, errors, or excesses.
"The company had grossly underestimated the total cost of the infrastructure project."
In a coarse, vulgar, or disgusting manner.
"The guests behaved grossly at the banquet, showing no regard for basic table manners."
On a macroscopic level; observable with the naked eye without the aid of a microscope (used especially in medicine and anatomy).
"Although the tissue appeared grossly normal during the examination, the biopsy revealed cellular abnormalities."
Word Nuance & Usage
As a degree modifier, "grossly" demonstrates strong negative semantic prosody, almost exclusively modifying words that denote error, excess, or injustice (such as "grossly unfair," "grossly inadequate," or "grossly exaggerated") rather than positive qualities.
• Rhymes for grossly
Word Origin & Etymology
Formed in Middle English from the adjective "gross" (borrowed from Old French "gros," meaning "big, thick, or coarse," from Late Latin "grossus") combined with the adverbial suffix "-ly."