prodigal

1 of 2

adjective

prod·​i·​gal ˈprä-di-gəl 

1

: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : lavish

a prodigal feast

prodigal outlays for her clothes

2

: recklessly spendthrift

the prodigal prince

3

: yielding abundantly : luxuriant

—often used with of

nature has been so prodigal of her bounty

—H. T. Buckle

prodigality

ˌprä-də-ˈga-lə-tē 

noun

prodigally

ˈprä-di-g(ə-)lē 

adverb

prodigal

2 of 2

noun

1

: one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly

2

: one who has returned after an absence

Synonyms

Adjective

• extravagant
• high-rolling
• profligate
• spendthrift
• squandering
• thriftless
• unthrifty
• wasteful

Noun

• fritterer
• high roller
• profligate
• spender
• spendthrift
• squanderer
• waster
• wastrel

Choose the Right Synonym for prodigal

profuse, lavish, prodigal, luxuriant, lush, exuberant mean giving or given out in great abundance.

profuse implies pouring forth without restraint.

profuse apologies

lavish suggests an unstinted or unmeasured profusion.

a lavish party

prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

prodigal spending

luxuriant suggests a rich and splendid abundance.

a luxuriant beard

lush suggests rich, soft luxuriance.

a lush green lawn

exuberant implies marked vitality or vigor in what produces abundantly.

an exuberant imagination

Examples of prodigal in a Sentence

Adjective

We sipped our beers and wondered at one another, at what was left of all that and of those prodigal days. —Michael Chabon, A Model World and Other Stories, 1991

The prodigal use of antibiotics in animals has the same consequence as their overprescription for human beings. —Cullen Murphy, New York Times Book Review, 10 June 1984

Mr. Bulstrode replied without haste, but also without hesitation. "I am grieved, though, I confess, not surprised by this information, Mr. Lydgate. For my own part, I regretted your alliance with my brother-in-law's family, which has always been of prodigal habits, and which has already been much indebted to me for sustainment in its present position … " —George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872

the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it

Noun

Such a trustee had been first instituted by the praetor, to save a family from the blind havoc of a prodigal or madman … —Edward Gibbon, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire, 1788

the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

First, the show’s barnburner opening number is followed by a very, very, very long group performance at the show’s midpoint after prodigal son Johnny’s arrival. —Daniel D'addario, Variety, 13 Dec. 2024

The neighbourhood is back to its usual bustle — and proud as ever of its prodigal son. —Laia Cervelló Herrero, The Athletic, 6 July 2024

Noun

After all, there’s always one prodigal — one unstable element who’s removed themself as far as possible from the precarious family mixture. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 21 Nov. 2024

He is angered by his father’s instant acceptance of the prodigal’s return. —Scott Burns, Dallas News, 18 Dec. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective and Noun

Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive — more at pro-, agent

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1561, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing prodigal

• prodigal son/daughter

Kids Definition

prodigal

1 of 2 adjective

prod·​i·​gal ˈpräd-i-gəl 

: carelessly wasteful

a prodigal spender

prodigality

ˌpräd-ə-ˈgal-ət-ē 

noun

prodigally

ˈpräd-i-g(ə-)lē 

adverb

prodigal

2 of 2 noun

: somebody who wastes money carelessly