French word

grossir

Pronunciation

IPA/gʁosiʁ/

Meaning

  • verbgain weight

Example

Je grossis un peu.

I'm gaining a little weight.

Illustration for grossir (gain weight)

More examples

Son jean ne lui va plus, il a grossi.

His jeans do not fit him anymore; he has put on weight.

Core concept

A once-slender body fills out as added mass makes its outline and weight increase.

Common phrases

  • grossir pendant les fêtes

    put on weight during the holidays

  • grossir du ventre

    put on weight around the stomach

  • grossir de deux kilos

    put on two kilos

Similar words

prendre du poids: Body weight increases.
engraisser: Fat accumulates on the body, causing weight gain.
s'arrondir: The body or face becomes rounder and fuller.

Definition in French

Devenir plus gros en prenant de la masse corporelle, en parlant surtout d'une personne ou d'un animal.

Word origin

French grossir derives from gros, from Latin grossus, with the verb-forming ending -ir expressing the process of becoming large or thick.

Usage tips

  • For a gentler reference to weight gain, French often uses prendre du poids or avoir pris du poids instead of grossir.

Other meanings

  • enlargeverb
  • exaggerateverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word