Also means
for nothing
Usage Note
gratuitement means without payment, but it also has a figurative sense of 'without justification' or 'gratuitously': une violence gratuitement infligée (gratuitously inflicted violence). It derives from the adjective gratuit (free, unwarranted). The contrast with payant (paid, chargeable) is common in contexts of services or entry fees.
Examples
"Le musée est ouvert gratuitement le dimanche."
Natural Translation
The museum is open free of charge on Sundays.

Free starter pack
Building your French vocabulary?
Get the 100 most common French words as a free PDF — one email, no spam.
Related Words
Explore French by topic
FrenchNow
6 min read