Gratuitous Meaning
/ɡɹəˈtjuː.ɪt.əs/Definition, CEFR level C1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
adjGiven freely; unearned.
adjUnjustified or unnecessary; not called for by the circumstances.
Sentence Examples
The aggression was provoked by all those gratuitous insults.
gratuitous violence
CEFR Practice Quiz
The report contained ____ details that were not needed for the argument.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The director was criticized for including several ____ scenes of violence that did not add to the story.
Word Origin & History
From Latin grātuītus (“free”), from Latin grātia (“favor”), grātus (“showing favor”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"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.""
— 2023 January 11, Stephen Roberts, “Bradshaw's Britain: castles and cathedrals”, in RAIL, number 974, page 56:
"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!"
— 1983, Lorenzo Semple Jr., Never Say Never Again, spoken by Q (Alec McCowen):
Explore More C1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The report contained ____ details that were not needed for the argument.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The director was criticized for including several ____ scenes of violence that did not add to the story.