gratuitousness
A library offers a book exchange with a sign that says "Take a book, leave a book" to emphasize its gratuitousness.
Definition
- Noun:
- The quality of being unnecessary or unwarranted: "Gratuitousness" refers to the state or characteristic of being done, given, or occurring without good reason, often implying excess or superfluity.
- The quality of being free of charge: In a less common sense, it denotes the condition of being provided without payment or obligation.
Usage Examples
- (The violence was unnecessary and lacked justification.)
- (The meal was given for free.)
Advanced Usage
- "gratuitousness of action": behavior or actions that are uncalled-for or excessive.
- His gratuitousness in criticizing her work showed a lack of tact. (His criticism was unwarranted and excessive.)
Variants and Related Words
- Gratuitous (adj): given or done without good reason; also, given free.
- The film contained gratuitous scenes of nudity. (Unnecessary scenes.)
- Gratuitously (adv): in an uncalled-for manner; without payment.
- He gratuitously insulted his colleague. (He insulted without cause.)
Synonyms
- Unjustifiedness: the quality of lacking justification.
- Superfluity: the state of being more than is needed.
- Unwarrantedness: the quality of being without justification.
Related Idioms
- "Gratuitous remark": a comment that is unnecessary and often offensive.
- She made a gratuitous remark about his appearance, which upset him. (An uncalled-for comment.)