ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grossly

adv. degree
C1 Advanced US //ˈɡɹoʊsɫi// UK //ɡɹˈəʊsli// gross·ly Archaic Informal

adv. to a very high and unacceptable degree. You use it to emphasize how bad, unfair, or wrong something is.

adv. to an extreme or excessive degree, typically in a way that is offensive, reprehensible, or clearly inaccurate.


SIMPLE

The cost of the repairs was grossly overpriced.

CONTEXTUAL

The company was found guilty of grossly underestimating the environmental impact of its new factory.

COMPLEX

Legal experts argued that the defendant's rights had been grossly violated during the initial investigation, rendering the subsequent evidence inadmissible in court.

Origin

From gross + -ly.

Usage

Typically used to modify adjectives with negative connotations, such as 'unfair', 'inaccurate', or 'negligent'.

Pitfall

He was grossly happy with the news.He was extremely happy with the news.Grossly is almost exclusively used to intensify negative qualities or errors; it is not a neutral synonym for 'very'.

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