gratuitous — English Dictionary

Adjective

1. Given freely; unearned.

   Examples

   More examples (1)

   Also mentioned is the Rev. T. Stock, who has a tablet in St John's church [Gloucester] and "who with Raikes established the four original Sunday schools in this parish ... in 1780. From this small beginning sprung that gratuitous system of Christian instruction which has covered the face of England and Wales with schools."

2. Unjustified or unnecessary; not called for by the circumstances.

   Synonyms

   uncalled-for

   Examples

   gratuitous violence

   Good to see you Mr. Bond. Things've been awfully dull 'round here. […] Now you're on this. I hope we're going to have some gratuitous sex and violence!

3. extraneous, interpolated.

   Usage

   • in linguistic criticism

Adjective

1. without cause

   Examples

   a gratuitous insult

2. costing nothing

   Synonyms

   complimentarycostlessfreegratis

   Examples

   complimentary tickets

   free admission

3. unnecessary and unwarranted

   Synonyms

   needlessuncalled-for

   Examples

   a strikers' tent camp … was burned with needless loss of life