gratuitous
[ gruh-too-i-tuhs, -tyoo- ]
/ grəˈtu ɪ təs, -ˈtyu- /
adjective
given, done, bestowed, or obtained without charge or payment; free; voluntary.
being without apparent reason, cause, or justification: a gratuitous insult.
Law. given without receiving any return value.
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Origin of gratuitous
1650–60; <Latin grātuītus free, freely given, spontaneous, derivative of grātus thankful, received with thanks (for formation cf. fortuitous); see -ous
SYNONYMS FOR gratuitous
OTHER WORDS FROM gratuitous
Words nearby gratuitous
gratis, gratitude, grattage, Grattan, grattoir, gratuitous, gratuitous contract, gratuity, gratulant, gratulate, gratulation
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for gratuitous
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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