profligate

American  

[prof-li-git, -geyt] / ˈprɒf lɪ gɪt, -ˌgeɪt /

adjective

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

   Synonyms:

   licentious, abandoned

2. recklessly prodigal or extravagant.

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noun

1. a profligate person.

profligate British  

/ ˈprɒflɪɡəsɪ, ˈprɒflɪɡɪt /

adjective

1. shamelessly immoral or debauched

2. wildly extravagant or wasteful

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noun

1. a profligate person

Other Word Forms

• profligacy noun
• profligately adverb
• profligateness noun

Etymology

Origin of profligate

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

Example Sentences

More broadly, what investors must keep in mind is that Japan’s high debt-to-GDP ratio is largely the result of decades of stagnant growth and deflation, not profligate spending.

From The Wall Street Journal

So, at both ends it is a case of minor details; mistakes at the back, profligate finishing up front.

From BBC

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

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