Definitions

1. adjective

given or done without payment or reward, especially to a person or group; done or given in a careless or thoughtless way

“The director’s gratuitous use of violence in the film shocked many viewers.”

2. noun

a remark or action that is unnecessary and annoying because it is too elaborate or elaborate

“The artist’s gratuitous decoration of the room made it look cluttered.”

3. adverb

done or given without payment or reward; done or given in a careless or thoughtless way

“The company operated gratuitously in developing new products.”