gratuitous

[gruh-too-i-tuhs, -tyoo-]

adjective

1. being without apparent reason, cause, or justification.

   It looks to me like a baseless and gratuitous insult—like you have a huge chip on your shoulder.

   Synonyms: gratis, groundless, unreasonable, redundant, superfluous, unnecessary

2. given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; complimentary.

3. Law.,  given without receiving any return value.

gratuitous

/ ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs /

adjective

1. given or received without payment or obligation

2. without cause; unjustified

3. law given or made without receiving any value in return

   a gratuitous agreement

Other Word Forms

• gratuitously adverb
• gratuitousness noun
• nongratuitous adjective
• nongratuitousness noun
• ungratuitous adjective
• ungratuitousness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratuitous¹

First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin grātuītus “free, freely given, spontaneous,” derivative of grātus “thankful, received with thanks” (for formation fortuitous ); -ous

Word History and Origins

Origin of gratuitous¹

C17: from Latin grātuītus, from grātia favour

Example Sentences

“Because, respectfully, I cannot abide our repeated, gratuitous, and harmful interference with cases pending in the lower courts while lives hang in the balance, I dissent.”

From Los Angeles Times

The former chief constable, Ms Fish, said: "I've seen enough to say there is a highly toxic culture there of hyper-sexualised male behaviour, misogyny, racism, and gratuitous, unlawful violence."

From BBC

The manufacturers’ gratuitous lawsuit comes alongside a proposed rollback of the Environmental Protection Agency’s greenhouse gas standards and a surprise Federal Trade Commission move to condemn the partnership.

From Los Angeles Times

Wilson's commitment to honesty - sometimes shocking, but never gratuitous - remains intact in Picture Imperfect.

From BBC

With a wink and a flick of her ponytail, Sue and six other dancers — all sporting shiny, one-piece leotards with gratuitous cutouts — begin to gyrate, thrust, and squat to throbbing electronic music.

From Salon

Related Words

• baseless 
• groundless 
• needless 
• superfluous 
• unfounded 
• unjustified 
• unprovoked 
• unwarranted 
• wanton