gratuitous

From Latin grātuītus (“free”), from Latin grātia (“favor”), grātus (“showing favor”)

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪt.əs/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ɡɹəˈtu.ɪt.əs/

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gratuitous (comparative more gratuitous, superlative most gratuitous)

1. Given freely; unearned.
2. unjustified or unnecessary.; not called for by the circumstances

   gratuitous violence

   Synonym: uncalled-for

(given freely):

• free
• gratis

(not called for by the circumstances):

• unjustified
• groundless
• baseless
• unfounded
• unnecessary

• onerous

• superfluous

• gratuitousness
• gratuitous praise
• gratuitous violence

• gratis
• gratuity

• gratuitous in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913.
• gratuitous in The Century Dictionary, New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., 1911.