ex gratia

[ eks grey-shee-uh ]

adjective

1. as a favor rather than as a matter of right:

   ex gratia payments made to nonstriking workers.

ex gratia

/ ˈɡreɪʃə /

adjective

1. given as a favour or gratuitously where no legal obligation exists

   an ex gratia payment

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex gratia¹

First recorded in 1760–70, ex gratia is from Latin ex gratiā “out of goodwill”

Word History and Origins

Origin of ex gratia¹

New Latin, literally: out of kindness

Example Sentences

We were to fall on our swords as an ex gratia preemptive concession.

From The Daily Beast

I fancy it would be thought “irregular:” though perhaps ex gratia, and from the oddity of the proposal, it might be conceded.

From Project Gutenberg

Quum ergo Deus pater nos elegit ex gratia sua, traxitque et vocavit, cur ad eum accedere non auderemus?

From Project Gutenberg