1 : not called for by the circumstances : not necessary, appropriate, or justified : unwarranted a gratuitous insult a gratuitous assumption a movie criticized for gratuitous violence.
How do you use the word gratuitously?
Gratuitously sentence example
- The school committee (who serve gratuitously ) appoint the superintendent and supervisors of schools.
- The members of the board serve gratuitously , but elect a salaried secretary.
What is a stronger word for help?
advice, aid, benefit, comfort, cooperation, guidance, hand, service, support, use, worker, back, bolster, boost, cooperate, encourage, further, maintain, promote, push.
Does gratuitous mean unnecessary?
Gratuitous means “without cause” or “unnecessary.” Telling ridiculous jokes at a somber occasion would be a display of gratuitous humor. Gratuitous can be used to refer to something that’s unnecessary and mildly annoying.
What is a synonym for helping someone?
assisting, backing, backstopping, propping (up), supporting.
What is the meaning of gratuitously?
Define gratuitously. gratuitously synonyms, gratuitously pronunciation, gratuitously translation, English dictionary definition of gratuitously. adj. 1. Given or granted without return or recompense; unearned. 2. Given or received without cost or obligation; free.
What is the origin of gratuitous?
These Gratuitous Facts Are Free. Like gratitude, grace, and congratulate, gratuitous is a descendant of the Latin word gratus, which means “pleasing” or “grateful.”. When gratuitous was first used in the middle of the 17th century, it meant “free” or “given without return benefit or compensation.”.
What is an example of gratuitous insult?
Today, that extended meaning is the more common sense, often used in such phrases as “a gratuitous insult” or to describe elements of a story that are not relevant to the plot. Recent Examples on the Web The gratin was gratuitous but restrained, and revealed beautiful, big, fat shrimp and tender octopus tentacles.
What is gratuitous criticism?
Given or received without cost or obligation; free. Unnecessary or unwarranted; unjustified: gratuitous criticism. [From Latin grātuītus; see gwerə- in Indo-European roots .] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
