Profligate

Pronunciation

• adjective IPA: /ˈprÉ’flɪɡət/
• adjective enPR: prŏʹflÄ­gÉ™t, IPA: /ˈprɑːflɪɡət/
• adjective
• verb IPA: /ˈprÉ’flɪɡeɪt/
• verb enPR: prŏʹflÄ­gāt, IPA: /ˈprɑːflɪɡeɪt/
• verb

Origin

From Latin prōflīgātus ("wretched, abandoned"), participle of prōflīgō ("strike down, cast down"), from pro ("forward") + fligere ("to strike, dash")

Full definition of profligate

Adjective

1. (obsolete) Overthrown, ruined.
• HudibrasThe foe is profligate, and run.
2. Inclined to waste resources or behave extravagantly.
• 2013, Ben Smith, "http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24503988", BBC Sport, 19 October 2013:Jay Rodriguez headed over and Dani Osvaldo might have done better with only David De Gea to beat and, as Southampton bordered on the profligate, United were far more ruthless.
3. Immoral; abandoned to vice.
• Roscommona race more profligate than we
• DrydenMade prostitute and profligate muse.

Synonyms

• (inclined to waste resources or behave extravagantly) extravagant, wasteful, prodigal
• (immoral, abandoned to vice) immoral, licentious

Derived terms

• profligateness

Noun

1. An abandoned person; one openly and shamelessly vicious; a dissolute person.
2. An overly wasteful or extravagant individual.

Synonyms

• (overly wasteful or extravagant individual) wastrel
• See also and

Verb

1. (obsolete) To drive away; to overcome.
• 1840, Alexander Walker, Woman Physiologically Considered as to Mind, Morals, Marriage, Matrimonial Slavery, Infidelity and Divorce, page 157:Such a stipulation would remove one powerful temptation to profligate pennyless seducers, of whom there are too many prowling in the higher circles ;

Synonyms

• (to drive away; to overcome) overcome

Related terms

• profligacy
• profligately
• profligateness
• profligation