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

But the trash-talking and, especially, antagonism over race and ethnicity is gratuitous and needlessly divisive. — Los Angeles Times, 2 Aug. 2026

Not tastefully enough to refrain from gratuitous shots of McNichol’s bare ass in a scene where Billy argues in the bathroom with Cheryl. — Alison Foreman, IndieWire, 31 July 2026

The requisite post-credits tag could not feel more gratuitous or useless. — David Fear, Rolling Stone, 28 July 2026

Giger also left behind a far slimier legacy, one long criticized for its gratuitous victimization of women. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 15 July 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