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
prodigal
- wastefully extravagant.He found himself guilty of prodigal spending during the holidays.He is not a prodigal son.
- (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?
- profuse, lavishly abundant
- 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