grue·some adjective alsogrew·some\ˈgrüsəm\ (sometimes-er/-est) Etymology:gruesome alteration (influenced by grue) (I) of earlier grewsome, growsome; grewsome alteration of obsolete English growsome, from grow (later, grue) + English -some : inspiring horror or repulsion : fearful, grisly, hideous < gruesome scenes of battle and death — E.J.Fitzgerald > < a gruesome little laugh > < the gruesome details of a murder >