Pronunciation: [ɡɹˈə͡ʊsɪz] (IPA) 
The word "grosses" is spelled with two "s" letters at the end, rather than "ss" or "se". This is because the final "es" is pronounced as a separate syllable, rather than being combined with the preceding "s". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is represented as /ɡroʊsɪz/, with the stress on the first syllable. "Grosses" is the plural form of "gross", meaning a large quantity or number.
"Grosses" is a plural noun that refers to the total monetary earnings or box office revenues generated by a particular motion picture, theatrical production, or commercial venture within a specific time frame. It represents the gross amount earned before any deductions or expenses are taken into account.
In the context of the film industry, grosses indicate the total revenue that a movie accumulates from ticket sales domestically or worldwide, often measured in millions or billions of dollars. Grosses may also include additional sources of income such as merchandising, licensing agreements, and distribution rights. Tracking the grosses allows industry professionals to assess the commercial success and popularity of a film, as well as compare it with other releases.
Similarly, in the realm of theater and live performances, grosses represent the total ticket sales generated by a particular show or production. The grosses can serve as an indicator of its commercial viability, popularity, and ability to attract an audience.
"Grosses" can also be used in a more general context outside the entertainment industry to refer to the total or overall earnings of any business or economic venture, such as the gross sales of a company or the gross revenue of a specific product or service. It is a metric used to evaluate the financial performance and success of a business initiative.
The word "grosses" has multiple etymological origins, depending on the context it is used in. Here are the main etymologies for different meanings of the word:
1. In the context of movie revenues: The term "grosses" is derived from the French word "grossir", which means "to grow" or "to increase". It entered the English language in the early 20th century to refer to the total box-office earnings of a film.
2. In the context of weight: "Grosses" is the plural form of the word "gross", which originally comes from the Old French word "gros", meaning "big" or "large". The term was used as a unit of measurement equal to 12 dozen, or 144. It eventually came to be associated with bulk or total weight.
