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
• profligateness
  noun
• profligately
  adverb

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; see inflict, -ate ¹

Explanation

Profligate, as a noun or as an adjective, implies recklessly wasting your money on extravagant luxury. Profligate behavior is a lot of fun, but you'll regret it later — when you get your charge card bill. Any time someone behaves in a reckless, amoral, or wasteful way, they are engaging in profligate behavior. It usually refers to financial behavior but can cross over to social activity as well. A person who is a slave to their cravings and whose behavior is unrestrained and selfish can be called a profligate. Extravagantly profligate behavior is often wildly fun but usually comes with a heavy price to pay in the morning, both financially and morally.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

profligate

Sony wrote off most of its investment just five years later following a string of box-office flops and profligate spending, before a turnaround helped by hits like 1997 blockbuster “Men In Black.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

This much silence from pop music’s most dramatic main character, biggest cornball and most profligate breadcrumb dropper has rattled the usual channels for all things Swift.

From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026

The yellow metal rallied sharply last year and extended its gains into early 2026, helped by central-bank buying and worries about profligate spending and currency debasement around the world — but particularly in the U.S.

From MarketWatch ● May 8, 2026

He has long believed that large-scale asset purchases should only be used during crisis and in moderation due to the risk that they can be used to fund a profligate Treasury.

From Barron's ● Feb. 1, 2026

He bought four pair—a profligate quantity of socks—and not only were they not gray, no two pair were even the same color.

From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor

Related Words

• extravagant
• reckless