gratuitous

adjective

gra·​tu·​i·​tous grə-ˈtü-ə-təs 

-ˈtyü-

1

: not called for by the circumstances : not necessary, appropriate, or justified : unwarranted

a gratuitous insult

a gratuitous assumption

a movie criticized for gratuitous violence

2

a

: given unearned or without recompense

We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry.

—Roger L'Estrange

b

: costing nothing : free

It was printed in France at the author's expense, for gratuitous distribution to educators and others.

—Current Biography

c

law : not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration

has gratuitous permission to pass over private land

gratuitously adverb

gratuitousness noun

Did you know?

These Gratuitous Facts Are Free

Like gratitude, grace, and congratulate, gratuitous is a descendant of the Latin word gratus, which means "pleasing" or "grateful." When gratuitous was first used in the 17th century, it meant "free" or "given without return benefit or compensation." The extended meaning "done without good reason" or "unwarranted" came about just a few decades later, perhaps from the belief held by some people that one should not give something without getting something in return. Today, that extended meaning is the more common sense, employed, for example, when graphic cruelty depicted in a work of fiction is described as "gratuitous violence," or when unkind words better left unsaid are described as "a gratuitous insult."

Synonyms

• complimentary
• costless
• free
• gratis

Examples of gratuitous in a Sentence

The film was criticized for its gratuitous violence.

A local veterinary technician provides gratuitous services to the animal shelter twice a month.

Recent Examples on the Web

Outside of casting, Season 4 begins to show its cracks (possibly because showrunner John Hoffman had to focus on weaving all those gratuitous guest stars into the story). —Proma Khosla, IndieWire, 30 Oct. 2024

Only to spend my money on senseless, completely gratuitous experiences, without zebras or anything. —Yiyun Li, Harper's Magazine, 23 Sep. 2024

In an early cutscene, Frank checks out a character’s body with a first-person camera sequence following his gaze — but all in all, Deluxe Remaster is an interesting case for modernizing a game to omit gratuitous sexualization and sensationalism. —Diego Argüello, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2024

Left unchecked, their unpaid bills, gratuitous spending or willingness to give away their money whenever asked can drain their savings and push them into debt. —Andrew Torgan, CNN, 27 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin gratuitus, from gratus grateful

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

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Kids Definition

gratuitous

adjective

gra·​tu·​i·​tous

grə-ˈt(y)ü-ət-əs

1

: done or provided freely with nothing expected in return

2

: not called for by the circumstances : unwarranted

a gratuitous insult

gratuitously adverb

gratuitousness noun

Legal Definition

gratuitous

adjective

gra·​tu·​i·​tous grə-ˈtü-ə-təs, -ˈtyü- 

: not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration compare onerous

gratuitously adverb