gros/ɡʁo/
adjective / noun · A1 · Frequency 360
adjectivemasculine
Meanings
big, thick, fat
Commonly used to describe large size or body build
coarse, rough
Describes texture or coarse language
important, major
Used to describe well-known or important people or things
Examples
J'ai acheté un gros livre pour mes vacances.
I bought a thick book for my vacation.
Les enfants savent qu'il ne faut pas dire de gros mots à table.
The children know they should not use coarse words at the table.
C'est un gros nom de la cuisine française.
He is an important name in French cuisine.
Collocations
- gros planclose-up shot
- gros titreheadline
Common mistakes
Cette voiture est gros.
Cette voiture est grosse.
The adjective gros takes the feminine singular form grosse when it modifies a feminine singular noun.
Related words
nounmasculine
Meanings
an overweight person
Noun usage referring to a person who is overweight, commonly used in spoken language.
the bulk, the majority
Refers to the majority or main part of a whole.
Examples
Dans le métro, un gros occupait deux sièges.
On the subway, an overweight person was occupying two seats.
Le gros du travail est terminé avant le déjeuner.
The bulk of the work is finished before lunch.
Le gros de la foule est parti après le concert.
The majority of the crowd left after the concert.
Collocations
- un grosan overweight person
- le gros de la troupethe bulk of the group
Common mistakes
Il est un gros
Il est gros
As a noun, gros cannot be used directly as an adjective without an article.
la gros de la population
la grosse partie de la population
When expressing 'the bulk' as a noun, use the feminine form 'grosse partie'.
Related words
synonymobèseobese
synonymmajoritémajority
adjectivefeminine
Meanings
big, thick, fat
Commonly used to describe large size or body build
coarse, rough
Describes texture or coarse language
important, major
Used to describe well-known or important people or things
Examples
Cette grosse valise ne rentre pas dans le coffre de la voiture.
This large suitcase does not fit in the car trunk.
Elle a acheté une grosse couverture pour les nuits froides.
She bought a thick blanket for cold nights.
C'est une grosse entreprise qui emploie des milliers de personnes.
It is a major company that employs thousands of people.
Collocations
- gros planclose-up shot
- gros titreheadline
Common mistakes
Cette voiture est gros.
Cette voiture est grosse.
The adjective gros takes the feminine singular form grosse when it modifies a feminine singular noun.
Related words
adjectivefeminine
Meanings
big, thick, fat
Commonly used to describe large size or body build
coarse, rough
Describes texture or coarse language
important, major
Used to describe well-known or important people or things
Examples
De grosses valises bloquaient le passage dans le couloir.
Large suitcases were blocking the passage in the hallway.
Les tomates sont devenues grosses après plusieurs semaines de soleil.
The tomatoes became large after several weeks of sunshine.
Ces couvertures sont faites de grosses mailles qui tiennent bien chaud.
These blankets are made with coarse stitches that keep you warm.
Ses plaisanteries grosses ont mis plusieurs invités mal à l'aise.
His coarse jokes made several guests uncomfortable.