As of 2019, Starbucks opens a new store every 15 hours in China. The coffee chain has grown by 700% over the past decade.
GRATUITOUS
gratuitous
(adjective) without cause; “a gratuitous insult”
gratuitous, needless, uncalled-for
(adjective) unnecessary and unwarranted; “a strikers’ tent camp...was burned with needless loss of life”
complimentary, costless, free, gratis, gratuitous
(adjective) costing nothing; “complimentary tickets”; “free admission”
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Adjective
gratuitous (comparative more gratuitous, superlative most gratuitous)
Given freely; unearned.
unjustified or unnecessary; not called for by the circumstances
Synonym: uncalled-for
Synonyms
(given freely)
• free
• gratis
(not called for by the circumstances)
• unjustified
• groundless
• baseless
• unfounded
• unnecessary
Antonyms
• onerous
Coordinate terms
• superfluous
Source: Wiktionary
Gra*tu"i*tous a. Etym: [L. gratuitus, from gratus pleasing. See Grate, a., Gratis.]
1. Given without an equivalent or recompense; conferred without valuable consideration; granted without pay, or without claim or merit; not required by justice. We mistake the gratuitous blessings of Heaven for the fruits of our own industry. L'Estrange.
2. Not called for by the circumstances; without reason, cause, or proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; as, a gratuitous assumption. Acts of gratuitous self-humiliation. De Quincye.
– Gra*tu"i*tous*ly, adv.
– Gra*tu"i*tous*ness, n.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition
Recent Word Finds
Word of the Day
19 January 2025
ELOQUENCE
(noun) powerful and effective language; “his eloquence attracted a large congregation”; “fluency in spoken and written English is essential”; “his oily smoothness concealed his guilt from the police”
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