Abstract We consider a class of semilinear equations with an absorption nonlinear zero order term of power type, where elliptic condition is given in terms of Gauss measure. In the case of the superlinear equation we introduce a suitable definition of solutions in order to prove the existence and uniqueness of a solution in ℝ N without growth restrictions at infinity. A comparison result in terms of the half-space Gaussian symmetrized problem is also proved. As an application, we give some estimates in measure of the growth of the solution near the boundary of its support for sublinear equations. Finally we generalize our results to problems with a nonlinear zero order term not necessary of power type.