How to pronounce gratuitously
Say it like gruh-TOO-uh-tuh-slee. Gratuitously has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOO).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce gratuitously. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- gruh
- TOO
- uh
- tuh
- slee
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Gratuitously pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- gruhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- TOOSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- tuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- sleeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
American vs British pronunciation of gratuitously
- British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune).
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: gruh-TYOO-ih-tuh-slee.
What does gratuitously mean?
- Freely; in the manner of a gift, without being earned.
- In a manner not demanded by the circumstances, without reason, justification, cause, or proof.
Where does gratuitously come from?
From gratuitous + -ly.
Questions about saying gratuitously
How do you pronounce gratuitously?
Say gruh-TOO-uh-tuh-slee. The American pronunciation is /ɡrəˈtuətəsli/. In British English it is /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəsli/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in gratuitously?
Gratuitously has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (TOO). Broken into parts: gruh · TOO · uh · tuh · slee.
Is gratuitously pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. British speakers add a light "y" sound before the "oo" (as in "tyoon" for tune). The British form is /ɡrəˈtjuːɪtəsli/ (gruh-TYOO-ih-tuh-slee).