adj.
Pronunciation: gr ə - ' tü- ə -t ə s, - ' tyü-
Function: adjective
Etymology: Latin gratuitus, from gratus
Date: 1656
1 a : given unearned or without recompense b : not involving a return benefit, compensation, or consideration c : costing nothing : FREE
2 : not called for by the circumstances : UNWARRANTED < gratuitous insolence> <a gratuitous assumption>
– gra · tu · itous · ly adverb
– gra · tu · itous · ness noun