51Թ

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View synonyms for

prodigal

[prod-i-guhl]

adjective

  1. wastefully or recklessly extravagant.

    prodigal expenditure.

    Synonyms:
    Antonyms: ,
  2. giving or yielding profusely; very generous; lavish (usually followed by of orwith ).

    prodigal of smiles; prodigal with praise.

    Synonyms: ,
  3. lavishly abundant; profuse.

    nature's prodigal resources.

    Synonyms: ,


noun

  1. a person who is wasteful of their money, possessions, etc.; spendthrift.

    In later years, he was a prodigal of his fortune.

    Synonyms: ,

prodigal

/ ˈɒɪɡə /

adjective

  1. recklessly wasteful or extravagant, as in disposing of goods or money

  2. lavish in giving or yielding

    prodigal of compliments

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. a person who spends lavishly or squanders money

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • prodigally adverb
  • ˈǻ徱 adverb
  • ˌǻ徱ˈٲ noun
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of prodigal1

First recorded in 1500–10; back formation from prodigality
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of prodigal1

C16: from Medieval Latin ō徱 wasteful, from Latin ō徱ܲ lavish, from ō徱 to squander, from pro- 1 + agere to drive
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Synonym Study

See lavish.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Now, nearly a decade and many petitions later, the prodigal wrap returns to the United States with the kind of quiet fanfare usually reserved for cult-favorite lip balms or discontinued sodas.

From

But their journey South is just as much one of deliberate self-destruction, an epic flame-out that is clearly meant to climax once they arrive at their parents’ home — the prodigal child’s disastrous return.

From

Fascism was supposed to bring them their Hallmark movie, to make the prodigal liberal daughter give up her career to marry the pickup-driving lunkhead next door.

From

He could exasperate editors with his strongly held opinions and his prodigal ways with an expense account.

From

Why must every group have a prodigal troublemaker whose return dredges up these old memories?

From

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When To Use

What does prodigal mean?

Prodigal generally refers to spending money in a reckless, extravagant way. It is often used in reference to the Biblical parable of the prodigal son.

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Prodiprodigality