For free: meaning, definitions and examples

Informal settings when indicating that something does not cost any money.

• You can download the app for free.
• They gave us these tickets for free.

Fairly formal or old-fashioned. Used often in legal or historical contexts to mean free of charge.

• The museum offers admission gratis on Sundays.
• She received medical care gratis.

Professional or business-related contexts, often to describe something offered by a company or business as a courtesy or extra benefit.

• Enjoy a complimentary breakfast with your stay.
• We offer complimentary Wi-Fi to all our guests.

More formal or written context to specify that something is available without any payment.

• The company provides training sessions at no cost.
• You can access the service at no cost.

This can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying that one might have expected a cost or effort was wasted. It can be informal.

• I did all that work for nothing.
• He gave me his old phone for nothing.

Often used in formal settings like hotels, restaurants, or events to suggest a service or item is provided without charge as a courtesy or gesture of good will.

• Guests will receive a complimentary breakfast each morning.
• Enjoy a complimentary glass of wine with your meal.

Used in marketing or informational settings to make it clear that something has zero charges. Often seen in advertisements or promotions.

• We offer no-cost consultations to our clients.
• Sign up for a no-cost trial of our service.

Formal or legal contexts to indicate that an item or service is provided without payment; more neutral than 'free'.

• The medication samples were provided gratis to the patients.
• Students received gratis admission to the auditorium.

Less commonly used, more formal or literary, indicating no cost involved.

• The costless digital options have revolutionized the publishing industry.
• The researcher provided costless solutions to enhance energy efficiency.

Commonly refers to items given out for free in contests, promotions, or events to attract attention or promote something.

• Enter the giveaway to win a free trip to Paris.
• They are doing a giveaway at the store this weekend.

Informal, often used in conversations to indicate small, free items given away, usually for promotional purposes.

• I got a freebie at the trade show.
• Look at all these freebies we received at the fair.

Used to describe something given voluntarily without payment as a present.

• She received a beautiful gift on her birthday.
• This painting is a gift from my friend.