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.
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
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 return
a gratuitous agreement
Derived forms of gratuitous
gratuitously, adverb gratuitousness, nounWord Origin for gratuitous
C17: from Latin
grātuītus, from
grātia favour