prodigal

American  

[prod-i-guhl] / ˈprɒd ɪ gəl /

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 orwith ).

   prodigal of smiles; prodigal with praise.

   Synonyms:

   bounteous, copious

3. lavishly abundant; profuse.

   nature's prodigal resources.

   Synonyms:

   bounteous, copious

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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 British  

/ ˈprɒdɪɡəl /

adjective

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

2. lavish in giving or yielding

   prodigal of compliments

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noun

1. a person who spends lavishly or squanders money

Usage

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.

Related Words

See lavish.

Other Word Forms

• prodigality noun
• prodigally adverb

Etymology

Origin of prodigal

First recorded in 1500–10; back formation from prodigality