adjective

gratuitous

/ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/ · say it: gruh·TOO·uh·tuhs

done without good reason; uncalled for

In Sophisticated Everyday

In more detail

1. (adjective) done or given without any good reason or necessity; uncalled for

2. (adjective) provided or given without charge; free

Examples

1. The violence in that movie seemed gratuitous and added nothing to the story.
2. The hotel offered gratuitous breakfast to all guests.

How to use gratuitous

Gratuitous primarily describes something unnecessary or excessive, often used critically in contexts like film criticism (gratuitous violence) or social commentary. The secondary meaning of 'free of charge' is now archaic in contemporary English. It carries a judgmental tone, implying not just absence of necessity but sometimes impropriety or offensive intent.

Common phrases

gratuitous violence
gratuitous insult
gratuitous comment
gratuitous act
gratuitous advertisement

Synonyms

unwarranted · unjustified · uncalled-for · needless · unnecessary

Opposites

justified · warranted · necessary

Word family

gratuitously (adverb) · gratuity (noun) · gratuousness (noun)

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse the meaning with 'generous' or 'free,' missing the negative connotation of being uncalled-for or excessive that dominates modern usage.

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