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gratuitous

Gratuitous (adjective) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

adjective

IPA:

/ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəs/

What does gratuitous mean?

Unnecessary, excessive, or without reasonable justification.
"He felt that the violence in the movie was gratuitous and unnecessary."

Detailed Meaning of Gratuitous

It often implies an element or action that goes beyond what is essential, often added for shock value, sensationalism, or purely for the sake of itself. In various contexts, such as in art, literature, or film, a gratuitous element could refer to explicit violence, explicit content, or over-the-top displays that serve no meaningful purpose within the work and might even detract from its overall quality or message. This term highlights the notion of excessiveness or superfluity, suggesting that the mentioned element could have been omitted without compromising the overall experience or meaning.

Example Sentences for Gratuitous

1. The movie contained gratuitous violence that shocked viewers.
2. His criticism of her work was gratuitous and hurtful.
3. The actor's gratuitous use of profanity was unnecessary.
4. She found his compliments to be gratuitous flattery.
5. The advertisement had gratuitous special effects.
6. His interruption during the meeting was gratuitous and disruptive.

Origin and Etymology of Gratuitous

The adjective 'gratuitous' finds its roots in the Latin word 'gratuitus,' which means 'given freely' or 'done without payment.' It is derived from 'gratus,' meaning 'pleasing' or 'thankful.' Originally, in Latin, 'gratuitus' conveyed the idea of something given as a favor or out of kindness, without expecting anything in return. Over time, as the word passed into English, it evolved to signify actions or things that are unnecessary, excessive, or done without reasonable justification. The transformation of 'gratuitous' from a concept of free and pleasing generosity to one of needless or excessive behavior reflects how language can adapt and broaden in meaning, capturing shifts in societal attitudes and values over time.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the adjective gratuitous:

essential

warranted

unnecessary

justified

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Gratuitous

1. The restaurant charged a gratuitous fee for substitutions.
2. The politician's attack on his opponent was a gratuitous smear campaign.
3. The novel included gratuitous descriptions of violence.
4. Her apologies seemed gratuitous and insincere.
5. The artist's use of bright colors felt gratuitous in the painting.
6. The teacher's punishment felt gratuitous for a minor offense.
7. The company's decision to lay off employees seemed gratuitous.
8. The inclusion of a gratuitous love scene in the book puzzled readers.
9. His criticism of her appearance was gratuitous and hurtful.
10. The use of loud music in the movie felt gratuitous.
11. Her excessive praise seemed gratuitous and insincere.
12. The politician's promises felt gratuitous and unrealistic.
13. The chef's addition of unusual ingredients was gratuitous in the recipe.
14. The lawyer's objections during the trial seemed gratuitous and annoying.
15. She was offended by the gratuitous use of profanity in the play.
16. He was criticized for the gratuitous use of special effects in the film.
17. She felt that the nudity in the movie was gratuitous and added nothing to the story.
18. He was accused of making gratuitous changes to the script.
19. She felt that the violence in the video game was gratuitous and not appropriate for children.
20. He was criticized for the gratuitous use of product placement in the movie.
21. She felt that the sexual content in the book was gratuitous and not necessary for the story.
22. He was accused of making gratuitous cuts to the budget.
23. She felt that the violence in the TV show was gratuitous and not in line with the show's themes.
24. He was criticized for the gratuitous use of computer-generated imagery in the film.
25. She felt that the gratuitous use of violence in the movie did not add to the overall story and was too much.