Nearby Words
adjective
1.
given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary.
2.
being without apparent reason, cause, or justification: a gratuitous insult.
3.
Law. given without receiving any return value.
Origin:
1650–60; < Latin grātuītus free, freely given, spontaneous, derivative of grātus thankful, received with thanks (for formation compare fortuitous); see -ous
1650–60; < Latin grātuītus free, freely given, spontaneous, derivative of grātus thankful, received with thanks (for formation compare fortuitous); see -ous
Related forms
gra·tu·i·tous·ly, adverb
gra·tu·i·tous·ness, noun
non·gra·tu·i·tous, adjective
non·gra·tu·i·tous·ly, adverb
non·gra·tu·i·tous·ness, noun
EXPANDSynonyms
2. unnecessary, superfluous, redundant; causeless, unreasonable, groundless, unprovoked, unjustified.
2. unnecessary, superfluous, redundant; causeless, unreasonable, groundless, unprovoked, unjustified.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Gratuitous
is always a great word to know.
So is malice. Does it mean:
| evil intent on the part of a person who commits a wrongful act injurious to others |
| to relinquish a known right or interest intentionally |
Example Sentences
- But they cannot understand breaking the law as anything but gratuitous rebellion.
- That said, there is of course no ethical justification for causing gratuitous suffering among our animal kin.
- They may just not be as open culturally to gratuitous violence.
Collins
World English Dictionary
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gratuitous
1656, "freely bestowed," from L. gratuitus "free, spontaneous, voluntary," from gratia "favor." Sense of "uncalled for, done without good reason" is first recorded 1691.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Cite This Source
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