Gratis
What it means
Provided without payment or charge.
Reach for it when describing a good or service supplied without payment
The museum offers gratis admission to local students on Fridays.
Words to choose between 6
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional | |
| formal |
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playful
on the house
Fits when a venue informally treats the customer to an item
Careful Reserve on the house for casual hospitality; formal terms need zero-price wording.
-
everyday
Fits when plain language should state that no payment is required
Careful Free can mean unrestricted rather than zero-price and may need clarification.
-
everyday
free of charge
Fits when zero price must be unmistakable
Careful The phrase addresses price only and says nothing about eligibility or conditions.
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professional
complimentary
Fits when a business provides something without a separate charge
Careful Complimentary can also mean praising, and the cost may be bundled elsewhere.
-
professional
pro bono
Fits when professional services are donated for public benefit
Careful Pro bono applies to skilled service, not ordinary free products or promotions.
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formal
cost-free
Fits when no direct financial cost is the supported claim
Careful Cost-free can hide time, data, obligations, or costs paid by someone else.
Opposites 3
- paid
- chargeable
- costly
Common phrases 3
-
provided gratis
Translation was provided gratis for every participant.
-
offer gratis
The clinic will offer the first workshop gratis.
-
available gratis
Printed guides are available gratis at the information desk.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Gratis states price, not the absence of conditions, data collection, or indirect costs.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Recording: Vealhurl, Southern England accent, from Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Updated