adj
gratuitous
gruh-TYOO-iht-uhs
Gratuitous (adj) means Done without any good reason, especially excessive or unnecessary (often used of violence or offense). Example: “Critics called the film's violence gratuitous and pointless.”
adj
1
Done without any good reason, especially excessive or unnecessary (often used of violence or offense).
"Critics called the film's violence gratuitous and pointless."
"There was no need for that gratuitous insult."
2
Given freely, without being earned or paid for.
"The gift was entirely gratuitous, with no strings attached."
How to use gratuitous
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUncalled-for or excessive, added for no real reason — often said about needless violence, nudity, or insults in media.
Common mistake
Doesn't mean "free" in everyday use anymore — the common modern sense is "unnecessary/excessive", not "complimentary".
Common pairings
gratuitous violence
gratuitous insult
gratuitous nudity
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more gratuitous
- Superlative
- most gratuitous
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Critics called the film's violence _____ and pointless.
Etymology
From Latin grātuītus ("free, unearned"), from grātia ("favor"), from grātus ("pleasing").
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for gratuitous
See all rhymes for gratuitous →Frequently asked questions
What does “gratuitous” mean?
The word “gratuitous” means done without any good reason, especially excessive or unnecessary (often used of violence or offense). In plain terms, uncalled-for or excessive, added for no real reason — often said about needless violence, nudity, or insults in media.
How do you pronounce “gratuitous”?
“Gratuitous” is pronounced gruh-TYOO-iht-uhs (/ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/ in IPA).
How do you use “gratuitous” in a sentence?
Here is “gratuitous” used in a sentence: “Critics called the film's violence gratuitous and pointless.”
What is another word for “gratuitous”?
Words with a similar meaning to “gratuitous” include free, gratis, unjustified, groundless, baseless and unfounded.
What is the opposite of “gratuitous”?
The opposite of “gratuitous” — its antonyms — is onerous.
What part of speech is “gratuitous”?
“Gratuitous” is an adjective.
Where does the word “gratuitous” come from?
The word “gratuitous” comes from Latin. From Latin grātuītus ("free, unearned"), from grātia ("favor"), from grātus ("pleasing").
How many meanings does “gratuitous” have?
“Gratuitous” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: done without any good reason, especially excessive or unnecessary (often used of violence or offense).
