gratuitous

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adjective

Definition of GRATUITOUS

1

not costing or charging anything <they will throw in a gratuitous box of chocolates when you spend $30 or more in their shop>

Synonyms complimentary, costless, gratis, gratuitous

Related Words nominal; bestowed, donated, given; pro bono; discretionary, freewill, optional, voluntary; honorary, uncompensated, unpaid

Near Antonyms paid; costly, dear, expensive, high

2

not needed by the circumstances or to accomplish an end <that violent scene was completely gratuitous and didn't need to be in the movie at all>

Synonyms dispensable, gratuitous, inessential, needless, nonessential, uncalled-for, unessential, unwarranted

Related Words discretionary, elective, optional; extra, extraneous, irrelative, irrelevant, redundant, superfluous

Near Antonyms all-important, crucial, important, vital; imperative, pressing, urgent

Antonyms essential, indispensable, necessary, needed, needful, required