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 of gratuitous

• free
• optional
• complimentary
• costless

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

So maybe a gratuitous and unfunny line about anyone taking out American cities is better left unsaid. — Steve Lopez, Los Angeles Times, 6 Oct. 2026

But while this latest attack is gratuitous and cruel, the rescission does not actually change the law; schools can and should continue to include transgender students equally in all educational programs. — Chase Strangio, Time, 30 Sep. 2026

Both understand the enduring appeal of clothes that whisper rather than shout, so there are no gratuitous logos or blink-and-you’ll-miss-it microtrends here. — Camila Quimper, Footwear News, 22 Sep. 2026

Galloway goes into enormous, at times gratuitous detail mapping Leigh’s many breakdowns, while being empathetic about the lack of useful treatments and awareness that existed at the time. — Hadley Hall Meares, Vanity Fair, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin gratuitus, from gratus grateful

First Known Use

1617, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for gratuitous

• circuitous
• fortuitous

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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