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Gratuitous vs Complimentary - What's the difference?

gratuitous | complimentary |

As adjectives the difference between gratuitous and complimentary

is that gratuitous is given freely; unearned while complimentary is in the nature of a compliment.

gratuitous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Given freely; unearned.
  • Not called for by the circumstances; uncalled-for; without reason, cause, or proof; adopted or asserted without any good ground; unjustified.
    • gratuitous violence

    Synonyms

    * unjustified * groundless * baseless * unfounded * unnecessary

    Antonyms

    * onerous

    Derived terms

    * gratuitousness * gratuitous praise * gratuitous violence

    Related terms

    * gratis * gratuity

    Coordinate terms

    * superfluous

    External links

    * *

    complimentary

    English

    (wikipedia complimentary)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • In the nature of a compliment.
  • * , The Letters of Mark Twain, Vol. 3 (published 2004) p. 56.
    • But yesterday evening late, when Lewis arrived from down town he found his supper spread, and some presents of books there, with very complimentary' writings on the fly-leaves, and certain very ' complimentary letters, and more or less greenbacks of dignified denomination pinned to those letters and fly-leaves...
  • Free; provided at no charge.
  • * Vivien Lougheed, Belize Pocket Adventures (2005), p. 65.
    • In the evenings, Ward and PJ offer guests a complimentary drink. This gesture seems to reinforce the hosts' desire to make everyone feel welcome.
  • With respect to the closing of a letter, formal and professional.
  • * Richard H. Beatty, The Perfect Cover Letter (2003).
    • The complimentary closing is the word grouping used to bring the message or text to a close.

    Usage notes

    * Complimentary and complementary are frequently confused and misused in place of one another.

    Antonyms

    * uncomplimentary

    Derived terms

    * complimentarily * complimentariness