prodigal

[ prod-i-guhl ]

adjective

1. wastefully or recklessly extravagant:

   prodigal expenditure.

   Synonyms: profligate

   Antonyms: provident, cautious

2. giving or yielding profusely; very generous; lavish (usually followed by of or with ):

   prodigal of smiles; prodigal with praise.

   Synonyms: bounteous, copious

3. lavishly abundant; profuse:

   nature's prodigal resources.

   Synonyms: bounteous, copious

noun

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

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

   Synonyms: wastrel, waster

prodigal

/ ˈprɒdɪɡəl /

adjective

1. recklessly wasteful or extravagant, as in disposing of goods or money
2. lavish in giving or yielding

   prodigal of compliments

noun

1. a person who spends lavishly or squanders money

Derived Forms

• ˈprodigally, adverb
• ˌprodiˈgality, noun

Other Words From

• prod·i·gal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of prodigal¹

First recorded in 1500–10; back formation from prodigality

Word History and Origins

Origin of prodigal¹

C16: from Medieval Latin prōdigālis wasteful, from Latin prōdigus lavish, from prōdigere to squander, from pro- ¹+ agere to drive

Synonym Study

See lavish.

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times

A video of the earliest piece on view, “Prodigal Son,” from 2010, shows the artist pinning his father’s Cuban military medals to his naked chest.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

It will add to the handful of times the prodigal prince has returned to his homeland since quitting royal duties in 2020 with his wife, Meghan Markle.

From Seattle Times

The conventional crime-solving aspects of the drama drive “Under the Bridge” in the earlier episodes, as does Rebecca’s prodigal’s return plotline.

From Los Angeles Times