profligate

[ prof-li-git, -geyt ]

adjective

1. utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute.

   Synonyms: licentious, abandoned

2. recklessly prodigal or extravagant.

noun

1. a profligate person.

profligate

/ ˈprɒflɪɡəsɪ; ˈprɒflɪɡɪt /

adjective

1. shamelessly immoral or debauched
2. wildly extravagant or wasteful

noun

1. a profligate person

Derived Forms

• profligacy, noun
• ˈprofligately, adverb

Other Words From

• profli·gate·ly adverb
• profli·gate·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of profligate¹

1525–35; < Latin prōflīgātus broken down in character, degraded, originally past participle of prōflīgāre to shatter, debase, equivalent to prō- pro- ¹ + -flīgāre, derivative of flīgere to strike; inflict, -ate ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of profligate¹

C16: from Latin prōflīgātus corrupt, from prōflīgāre to overthrow, from pro- ¹+ flīgere to beat

Example Sentences

Last spring Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, at the time the team’s largest shareholder, was so unhappy with the board’s profligate spending on nonsoccer things he pushed the board’s other five members to enlist the help of a New York investment bank in finding a new controlling owner.

From Los Angeles Times

But her husband, President Emmanuel Macron, has been criticised for his own profligate spending.

From BBC

The seamers ran in down the slope from the Pavilion End, spinner Prabath Jayasuriya plugged away from the Nursery End and England were profligate.

From BBC

Americans have long been among the world’s most profligate tippers.

From Los Angeles Times

“Generally the criticism of owning a hot tub is it is a profligate use of energy,” he says.

From BBC

Related Words

• extravagant
• reckless