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

OTHER WORDS FROM gratuitous

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH gratuitous

gracious gratis gratuitous

Example sentences from the Web for gratuitously

British Dictionary definitions for gratuitously

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, noun

Word Origin for gratuitous

C17: from Latin grātuītus, from grātia favour