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gratuitous
[ gruh-too-i-tuhs, -tyoo- ]
/ grəˈtu ɪ təs, -ˈtyu- /
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This shows grade level based on the word's complexity.
adjective
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.
given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; complimentary.
Law. given without receiving any return value.
OTHER WORDS FOR gratuitous
1 unnecessary, superfluous, redundant; causeless, unreasonable, groundless, unprovoked, unjustified.
2 gratis.
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Origin of gratuitous
First recorded in 1650–60; from Latin grātuītus “free, freely given, spontaneous,” derivative of grātus “thankful, received with thanks” (for formation cf. fortuitous); see -ous
OTHER WORDS FROM gratuitous
Words nearby gratuitous
grating, gratis, gratitude, Grattan, grattoir, gratuitous, gratuitous contract, gratuitously, gratuity, gratulant, gratulate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use gratuitous in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for gratuitous
gratuitous
/ (ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs) /
adjective
given or received without payment or obligation
without cause; unjustified
law given or made without receiving any value in returna gratuitous agreement
Derived forms of gratuitous
gratuitously, adverbgratuitousness, nounWord Origin for gratuitous
C17: from Latin grātuītus, from grātia favour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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