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

OTHER WORDS FROM gratuitous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gratuitous

gracious gratis 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

British Dictionary definitions for non-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, noun

Word Origin for gratuitous

C17: from Latin grātuītus, from grātia favour
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012