grosser: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Informal, Business/Industry jargon
Quick answer
What does “grosser” mean?
Something that earns a large amount of money, especially a highly successful film, play, or other entertainment product.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Something that earns a large amount of money, especially a highly successful film, play, or other entertainment product.
A person or thing that generates a significant income or revenue. In a more general sense, can refer to anything that produces a large total amount, not necessarily financial.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is largely identical, though more frequent in American English due to the dominance of Hollywood. The spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Positive connotation of commercial success. Neutral in a purely financial reporting context.
Frequency
More frequent in American English, particularly in entertainment industry publications (e.g., Variety, Hollywood Reporter).
Grammar
How to Use “grosser” in a Sentence
[Determiner] + grosser + (of the year/decade)[Film/Play/Product] + proved + (a) + [adjective] + grosserThe + [superlative] + grosserVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “grosser” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- N/A - 'Grosser' is not used as a verb.
American English
- N/A - 'Grosser' is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- N/A - 'Grosser' is not used as an adverb.
American English
- N/A - 'Grosser' is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The film's final figures were grosser than anyone had predicted.
- It was a grosser insult than the first.
American English
- The show's grosser numbers came from merchandise sales.
- That's just a grosser version of the same mistake.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in financial reports and analyses to describe highly profitable products or divisions.
Academic
Rare; might appear in film studies, media economics, or business case studies.
Everyday
Uncommon in general conversation unless discussing popular culture or business news.
Technical
Specific to entertainment industry analytics and corporate revenue reporting.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “grosser”
- Using 'grosser' as a comparative adjective (e.g., 'That is grosser than...') in formal writing where 'more gross' might be preferred, though 'grosser' is standard for the adjective.
- Spelling confusion: 'grossor', 'grosser'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is considered informal or industry-specific jargon, primarily used in business and entertainment contexts.
Yes, though less common. It can refer to a person who generates significant revenue, e.g., a top-selling salesperson might be called the company's biggest grosser.
A 'blockbuster' implies massive popularity and cultural impact, often with a large budget. A 'grosser' is a more neutral financial term focusing solely on revenue; a film can be a grosser without being a cultural blockbuster.
Yes, it can be used for any highly profitable product, service, or event, such as a 'grosser' video game, a 'grosser' concert tour, or a 'grosser' retail product line.
Something that earns a large amount of money, especially a highly successful film, play, or other entertainment product.
Grosser: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrəʊsə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡroʊsər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(to be) the season's top grosser”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a cinema 'GROSS'ing (earning) lots of money. The 'grosser' is the film that does this the most.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUCCESS IS SIZE/WEIGHT (a 'big' earner, a 'heavy' hitter).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the noun 'grosser' most appropriately used?