Prodigal

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈpɹɑdɪɡəl/, ˈpʰɹ̥ɑɾɨɡɫ̩

Origin

From Late Latin prodigalis ("wasteful"), from Latin prodigus ("wasteful, lavish, prodigal"), from prodigere ("to consume, squander, drive forth"), from pro ("before, forward") + agere ("to drive").

Full definition of prodigal

Adjective

1. wastefully extravagant.He found himself guilty of prodigal spending during the holidays.He is not a prodigal son.
2. (often followed by of or with) someone yielding profusely, lavishShe was a merry person, glad and prodigal of smiles.How can he be so prodigal with money on such a tight budget?
3. profuse, lavishly abundant
4. returning after abandoning a person, group, or ideal, especially for selfish reasons; being a prodigal son.
• 2012-08-12, Paul Owen, London 2012 Olympics: day 10, Simon Hart of the Daily Telegraph has tweeted that the prodigal triple-jumper has come home, in preparation for tomorrow's qualification round.

Synonyms

Antonyms

• (a prodigal person) frugal

Derived terms

• prodigal son

Noun

1. A prodigal person, a spendthrift.

Synonyms