gratis

Everyday

(formal or informal) Free of charge; without having to pay. tree →

In the lessons

Used in shops and adverts or as a jokey word in speech: «you get the second one gratis». It tells the reader no money is needed. Phrases: for gratis, gratis and for nothing.

Examples

• The museum lets children in gratis. tree →
• Buy one cake and get another gratis. tree →
• He fixed my bike gratis because we are friends. tree →
• Programs that are free to use are sometimes called gratis software. tree →
• The drinks at the party were gratis. tree →
• You can have this old toy gratis. tree →
• The students, even those who had board and lodging gratis, left the city. tree →

Note

From Latin. Pronounced GRAH-tis or GRAT-is. «For gratis» is common but repeats the idea. The usual word is «free». Not the same as «gratitude» (thankfulness), though related in origin.