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

Example Sentences

In preparation to play the prodigal twins in “Sinners,” Jordan told The Times that he trained with dialect coach Beth McGuire, who also worked on Coogler’s “Black Panther” and its sequel, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

From Los Angeles Times

It is to Mr. Hale’s great credit that he refuses to anathematize the prodigal children in his book.

From The Wall Street Journal

James buried his face in his jersey as he attempted to keep his feelings in check while the Cavaliers played a video tribute to their prodigal hero during a first quarter break.

From Barron's

Before we meet any characters in “The Family Stone,” Thomas Bezucha’s 2005 holiday dramedy about a close-knit extended family meeting their prodigal son’s uptight new girlfriend for the first time, a cellphone rings.

From Salon

In a troubled time before their rift, my husband, by his own account, had been financially irresponsible, reckless, a prodigal son.

From The Wall Street Journal