What does gros in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word gros in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use gros in French.

The word gros in French means large, big, fat, large, substantial, big, great, fatty, fatso, a lot, thick, wholesale, the bulk of , most of, large print run, bulk buying, wholesale purchasing, buy in bulk, all about the money, all about the big bucks, be heavy-hearted, your eyes are bigger than your belly, be so kind and generous, be deeply depressed, be deeply upset, you can see it coming a mile off, it sticks out a mile, that's taking things too far, heavy load truck, big-game hunting, bur oak, wholesale trade, wholesale business, bottlenose dolphin, bulk, win the jackpot, retail-wholesale, write in big letters, Hey buddy!, be heavy-hearted, basically, in bulk, give it your best shot, feel deflated, boil fast, boil rapidly, give my love, arch your back, have broad shoulders, be front-page news, hit the headlines, look sternly at , look disapprovingly at , look reprovingly at, big-budget film, win big, hit the jackpot, be a huge success, you idiot, love, lots of love, hugs and kisses, bigwig, big shot, head honcho, large cup size, larger cup size, heavy, henchman, heavy drinker, large calibre, large bore, large calibre, big hug, sex, as big as your fist, you can see it a mile off, powerful motorbike, disgusting slob, sleazy guy, large appliances, large electrical appliances, heavy smoker, big game, target, prey, large intestine, first prize, smart Alec, big eater, swear word, swearword, structural works, big toe, close-up, focus, snore like a pig, coarse red wine, coarse salt, headline, big endian, Folle blanche, Gros Plant, Gros Plant du Pays Nantais, ultra-high capacity aircraft, odds on, odds on that, it's odds on, it's odds on that, it is a safe bet that, big kisses, play for high stakes, play big, act tough, cash-and-carry, lump, lumpfish, in rough weather, in heavy weather, deep-sea fishing, little fatty, wholesale price, take a big risk, Sylvester and Tweety Pie, Sylvester and Tweety, wholesale, Yo whaddup, man?. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word gros

large, big

adjectif (imposant)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
La noix de coco est un gros fruit.
A coconut is a large fruit.

fat

adjectif (corpulent)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Tu vois cette grosse dame ? C'est ma voisine, elle fait un régime, mais il n'est pas efficace ! Avec l'âge, on a tendance à devenir plus gros.
Do you see that fat woman? That's my neighbour; she's on a diet, but it doesn't seem to be working! // With age, we tend to get fatter.

large, substantial, big

adjectif (important) (amount, sum)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Nous avons remis une grosse somme d'argent à cette association.
We have given a large sum of money to this organization.

great

adjectif (à un degré élevé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
N'écoute pas mon frère, c'est un gros menteur !
Don't listen to my brother; he's a big fat liar!

fatty, fatso

(péjoratif (personne corpulente) (pejorative, offensive)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Hier, j'ai vu un gros au restaurant qui mangeait un énorme steak avec des frites.
Yesterday, I saw a fatty in a restaurant eating an enormous steak and chips.

a lot

adverbe (beaucoup) (informal)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Vous risquez gros dans cette entreprise.
You are risking a lot in this business.

thick

adjectif (grossier, sans finesse) (informal)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
C'est un peu gros comme excuse !
As excuses go, that's a bit thick!

wholesale

nom masculin (en quantité importante) (not retail)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
On a de meilleur prix en achetant en gros.
You get better prices if you buy in bulk.

the bulk of , most of

(la plupart de)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le gros du régiment a pu franchir la rivière sans encombre.
For the most part, the regiment managed to cross the river without a problem.

large print run

locution adjectivale (très diffusé)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les prix littéraires à gros tirage envahissent les vitrines des librairies.
Large print runs of literary prizewinners fill the bookstore window displays.

bulk buying, wholesale purchasing

nom masculin (achat en grande quantité)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

buy in bulk

locution verbale (acheter en grosse quantité)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

all about the money, all about the big bucks

nom féminin (familier (chose impliquant beaucoup d'argent)

be heavy-hearted

locution verbale (être triste)

Son petit chat vient de mourir, Constance a le cœur gros.

your eyes are bigger than your belly

locution verbale (figuré (se servir plus que son appétit)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai eu les yeux plus gros que le ventre. Je ne vais pas pouvoir finir mon dessert finalement.
My eyes are bigger than my belly. I'm not going to be able to finish my dessert after all.

be so kind and generous

locution verbale (familier (être très généreux)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be deeply depressed, be deeply upset

locution verbale (familier (être très triste)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Matteo a un gros chagrin car il a perdu son nounours.

you can see it coming a mile off, it sticks out a mile

(familier, figuré (c'est évident) (informal, figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Il va encore gagner ce concours, c'est gros comme une maison.

that's taking things too far

(familier, figuré (c'est exagéré) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
La tour Eiffel aurait été vendue ? C'est gros comme une maison !

heavy load truck

nom masculin (camion de gros tonnage)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les camions gros porteurs transportent plus de 44 tonnes.

big-game hunting

nom féminin (chasse aux grands animaux)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bur oak

nom masculin (variété de chêne)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

wholesale trade, wholesale business

nom masculin (commerce vendant aux professionnels)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bottlenose dolphin

nom masculin (race de dauphin) (zoology)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

bulk

locution adjectivale (relatif à de grandes quantités)

(noun as adjective: Describes another noun--for example, "boat race," "dogfood.")

win the jackpot

locution verbale (figuré (rencontrer un vif succès)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

retail-wholesale

nom masculin invariable (commerce intermédiaire)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Il achète aux grossistes pour revendre au demi-gros.

write in big letters

locution verbale (faire de grandes lettres)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

Hey buddy!

interjection (argot de jeunes (interjection pour interpeller) (US, informal)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

be heavy-hearted

locution verbale (être triste, avoir envie de pleurer)

Deux mois après sa rupture, elle en a encore gros sur le cœur.
Two months after the breakup, it was still weighing on her heart.

basically

locution adverbiale (de façon simplifiée, grosso modo)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
En gros, le routier fait 3 allers-retours par semaine.
Basically, the trucker makes three round trips per week.

in bulk

locution adverbiale (par grosses quantités)

(adverb: Describes a verb, adjective, adverb, or clause--for example, "come quickly," "very rare," "happening now," "fall down.")
Je fais mon pain et achète la farine en gros.
I make my own bread and buy flour in bulk.

give it your best shot

locution verbale (familier (faire forte impression) (colloquial)

feel deflated

locution verbale (vieilli (rester penaud)

boil fast, boil rapidly

locution verbale (cuire à forte ébulition) (cookery)

Les pâtes se cuisent à gros bouillons.

give my love

locution verbale (familier (embrasser [qqn])

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

arch your back

locution verbale (animal : relever le dos)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quand il a vu le chien, le chat a fait le gros dos.
When it saw the dog, the cat arched its back.

have broad shoulders

locution verbale (figuré (se taire et attendre) (figurative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be front-page news, hit the headlines

locution verbale (être à la une de la presse)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

look sternly at , look disapprovingly at , look reprovingly at

(montrer sa réprobation)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Quand le jeune papa a vu que son fils avait mis de la farine partout, il lui a fait les gros yeux.

big-budget film

nom masculin (film à grand spectacle) (mainly UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

win big

locution verbale (gagner beaucoup) (informal)

La publicité du Loto dit qu'on peut gagner gros.

hit the jackpot

locution verbale (remporter le meilleur lot)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

be a huge success

locution verbale (figuré (remporter un grand succès)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

you idiot

nom masculin (petit chenapan)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

love, lots of love, hugs and kisses

nom masculin pluriel (familier (formule affectueuse)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Ta mère te fait de gros bisous. Mon amie terminait ainsi sa lettre : "Gros bisous. Sandra".
My friend signed off her letter: "Sandra xx"

bigwig, big shot, head honcho

nom masculin (figuré, familier (personnage influent) (colloquial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Un gros bonnet de la drogue a été arrêté aujourd'hui.

large cup size, larger cup size

nom masculin (familier (forte taille de poitrine) (bra)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette marque se spécialise dans les gros bonnets.

heavy, henchman

nom masculin (figuré (homme fort) (colloquial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

heavy drinker

([qqn] buvant avec excès)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

large calibre, large bore

nom masculin (arme de poing puissante) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

large calibre

nom masculin (balle de gros calibre) (UK)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

big hug

nom masculin (longue étreinte) (affectionate)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les enfants ont souvent besoin d'un gros câlin après une blessure.

sex

nom masculin (acte sexuel)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les amoureux profitèrent du début d'après-midi estival pour se faire un gros câlin.

as big as your fist

locution adjectivale (de la taille d'un poing)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

you can see it a mile off

locution adjectivale (figuré, familier (évident) (informal, figurative)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

powerful motorbike

nom masculin (familier (grosse cylindrée) (vehicle)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette moto est un gros cube.

disgusting slob

nom masculin (familier (homme sale, répugnant) (pejorative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

sleazy guy

nom masculin (familier, figuré (homme salace) (pejorative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

large appliances, large electrical appliances

nom masculin (appareils électriques pour la cuisine)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Ils ont changé leur lave-linge et leur frigo ; tout leur gros électroménager est neuf à présent.

heavy smoker

nom masculin ([qqn] qui fume beaucoup)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

big game

nom masculin (animal sauvage de grosse taille) (uncountable)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

target, prey

nom masculin (figuré (travail : personne chassée) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

large intestine

nom masculin (côlon)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

first prize

nom masculin (jeu : premier prix)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

smart Alec

(personne futée) (colloquial)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

big eater

(personne à fort appétit)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

swear word, swearword

nom masculin (mot ordurier, juron)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Les enfants adorent prononcer des gros mots.
Children love saying swear words.

structural works

nom masculin (maçonnerie importante)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Cette entreprise s'occupera du gros œuvre. Des artisans feront les finitions.
This company will do the structural works, then tradespeople will carry out the finishing work.

big toe

nom masculin (pouce du pied)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

close-up

nom masculin (cadrage serré) (photo, film)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le photographe prit un gros plan du président.
The photographer took a close-up of the president.

focus

nom masculin (figuré (thématique : approfondissement) (figurative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Ce magazine propose un gros plan sur notre région.
This magazine offers a focus on our region.

snore like a pig

nom masculin ([qqn] qui ronfle beaucoup) (informal, pejorative)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Mon mari est un gros ronfleur.
My husband snores like a pig!

coarse red wine

nom masculin (populaire, péjoratif (vin rouge quelconque)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

coarse salt

nom masculin (sel broyé gros)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

headline

nom masculin (une d'un journal)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Cette affaire fait les gros titres cette semaine.
This matter grabbed the headlines this week.

big endian

nom masculin (informatique : organisation des octects) (computing)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Folle blanche, Gros Plant

nom masculin (cépage blanc) (grape variety)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le cépage gros-plant est aussi appelé folle-blanche.

Gros Plant du Pays Nantais

nom masculin (vin blanc) (wine)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
Le gros-plant est un vin du pays nantais.

ultra-high capacity aircraft

nom masculin (avion cargo)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)
L'A350 est un gros-porteur de chez Airbus.

odds on, odds on that, it's odds on, it's odds on that

(très probablement) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")

it is a safe bet that

(très probablement)

big kisses

(enfantin, familier (Je t'embrasse) (informal)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Je te fais de gros bisous, à bientôt.

play for high stakes

locution verbale (risquer de perdre beaucoup)

play big

locution verbale (miser une somme importante) (gambling: informal)

Cet homme est un habitué du poker, il est connu pour jouer gros jeu.

act tough

locution verbale (se faire passer pour un dur)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")

cash-and-carry

locution adjectivale (vente en gros) (wholesale)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")

lump, lumpfish

adjectif (poisson : lump)

(noun as adjective: Describes another noun--for example, "boat race," "dogfood.")
les œufs de mollet sont moins réputés que ceux d'esturgeon.
Lumpfish caviar has less of a reputation than sturgeon caviar.

in rough weather, in heavy weather

locution adverbiale (par mer agitée)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Par gros temps, la baignade est interdite.

deep-sea fishing

nom féminin (pêche aux gros poissons)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

little fatty

nom masculin (familier, péjoratif ([qqn] de petit et gros) (pejorative)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

wholesale price

nom masculin (prix de vente en grosses quantités) (commerce)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

take a big risk

locution verbale (familier (s'exposer à de grosses pertes)

Sylvester and Tweety Pie, Sylvester and Tweety

(personnages de dessins animés) (cartoon characters)

(plural noun: Noun always used in plural form--for example, "jeans," "scissors.")
Quand j'étais petite, j'adorais regarder Titi et Gros Minet.

wholesale

nom féminin (vente en grand nombre)

(noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.)

Yo whaddup, man?

(argot, jeune (salut, comment va ?) (slang)

(interjection: Exclamation--for example, "Oh no!" "Wow!")

Let's learn French

So now that you know more about the meaning of gros in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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French (le français) is a Romance language. Like Italian, Portuguese, and Spanish, it comes from popular Latin, once used in the Roman Empire. A French-speaking person or country can be called a "Francophone". French is the official language in 29 countries. French is the fourth most spoken native language in the European Union. French ranks third in the EU, after English and German, and is the second most widely taught language after English. The majority of the world's French-speaking population lives in Africa, with about 141 million Africans from 34 countries and territories who can speak French as a first or second language. French is the second most widely spoken language in Canada, after English, and both are official languages at the federal level. It is the first language of 9.5 million people or 29% and the second language of 2.07 million people or 6% of the entire population of Canada. In contrast to other continents, French has no popularity in Asia. Currently, no country in Asia recognizes French as an official language.