gross out
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
Something which sickens, causes distress, or appalls by reason of being disgusting, gory, or repulsive.
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
American English
Examples
Notwithstanding that episode, this film is refreshingly low on scatological gags and other gross-out humor, preferring all-purpose bad jokes to bathroom ones.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-30 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “gross out” mean?
Something which sickens, causes distress, or appalls by reason of being disgusting, gory, or repulsive.
Is “gross out” formal or informal?
gross out is generally informal.