gratuitous
Definitions
Done or given without good reason; uncalled-for and unjustified.
无端的，毫无来由的。
Given or done free of charge; without payment (formal).
免费的，无偿的（正式）。
Root Breakdown
Root-derivedgrat (favor, free gift) + -ous (full of) = 'given freely.' Latin grātuītus meant 'free of charge, unearned.' But 'done for free' easily shades into 'done for no reason' — so today gratuitous usually means uncalled-for: gratuitous violence is violence with no purpose.
Root grat still carries 14 more wordsWhy It Means This
The word holds two senses that pull apart. The original Latin meaning is neutral: 'free of charge, unearned' (gratuitous service). But people noticed that something done 'for free' is often also done 'for no good reason,' and that critical sense took over everyday English: gratuitous now usually means needless, uncalled-for — especially of violence, sex, or cruelty added to a film or remark with no purpose.
Common Collocations
- 1.gratuitous violence无端的暴力
- 2.gratuitous insult毫无来由的侮辱
- 3.gratuitous sex多余的色情
- 4.gratuitous cruelty无端的残忍
Example Sentences
- 1.
The film was criticized for its gratuitous violence.
- 2.
There was no need for such a gratuitous insult.
- 3.
The lawyer offered her gratuitous advice without charging a fee.
Synonym Comparison
- gratuitous — needless and uncalled-for, often with disapproval
- unnecessary — simply not needed, neutral in tone
- unwarranted — not justified by the situation (unwarranted criticism)
- free — at no cost (the everyday word for the 'no charge' sense)