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

• 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

Thanks to a prescient investment in producing a promotional video for the CTR model, the world would become acquainted with Ruf through scenes of gratuitous smokey drifts on the Nurburgring, captured from a helicopter no less. —Christian Gilbertsen, Robb Report, 12 Aug. 2025

With 64 players, combat can be chaotic, but rather than emphasizing one-man heroics and gratuitous kill-to-death ratios, Battlefield has always been more of a team effort. —Christopher Cruz, Rolling Stone, 12 Aug. 2025

Some of these flourishes feel a touch gratuitous: milk is spilled; repeated Amelia Bedelia-esque references are made to Evie’s sister losing her marbles; and, of course, there’s the name—yes, this Eve bites into an apple. —Lora Kelley, New Yorker, 7 Aug. 2025

In the end, Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber had no choice but to suspend Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba for their next MLS match after neither failed to show up for the 2025 MLS All-Star Game, in accordance with a longstanding league rule meant to prevent gratuitous no-shows. —Ian Nicholas Quillen, Forbes.com, 26 July 2025

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