Gratuitous

C1 16+

Pronunciation: /ɡrəˈtuːɪtəs/

Definitions of gratuitous

adjective unwarranted or uncalled for; given or done free of charge

Example Sentences

A1 The gratuitous act of kindness from the stranger made her day.

A2 The movie included a gratuitous amount of violence for shock value.

B1 The gratuitous use of special effects in the film distracted from the storyline.

B2 The director's decision to include a gratuitous nude scene in the movie was criticized by many.

C1 The author's use of gratuitous profanity in the novel detracted from the overall quality of the writing.

C2 The artist's gratuitous use of symbolism in his paintings added layers of meaning for those who looked closely.

Examples of gratuitous in a Sentence

formal The gratuitous violence in the movie was unnecessary and excessive.

informal I can't stand all the gratuitous ads on this website.

slang That movie had way too many gratuitous explosions, it was over the top.

figurative Her gratuitous compliments were thinly veiled attempts to gain favor.

Grammatical Forms of gratuitous

past tense

gratuitously

plural

gratuitous

comparative

more gratuitous

superlative

most gratuitous

present tense

gratuitously

future tense

will be gratuitous

perfect tense

has been gratuitous

continuous tense

is being gratuitous

singular

gratuitous

positive degree

gratuitous

infinitive

to be gratuitous

gerund

gratuitously

participle

gratuiting

Origin and Evolution of gratuitous

First Known Use: 1656 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'gratuitous' originated from the Latin word 'gratuitus' meaning 'given freely' or 'done without good reason'.
Evolution of the word: Over time, 'gratuitous' has come to be used in English to describe something unnecessary, excessive, or uncalled for.