prodigal

¹prod·i·gal

adj \ˈprä-di-gəl\

Definition of PRODIGAL

1

: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : lavish <a prodigal feast> <prodigal outlays for her clothes>

2

: recklessly spendthrift <the prodigal prince>

3

: yielding abundantly : luxuriant —often used with of <nature has been so prodigal of her bounty — H. T. Buckle>

— prod·i·gal·i·ty\ˌprä-də-ˈga-lə-tē\ noun

— prod·i·gal·ly\ˈprä-di-g(ə-)lē\ adverb

Examples of PRODIGAL

1. <the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it>

Origin of PRODIGAL

Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive — more at pro-, agent

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to PRODIGAL

Synonyms: extravagant, high-rolling, profligate, spendthrift, squandering, thriftless, unthrifty, wasteful

Antonyms: conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, penny-pinching, scrimping, skimping, thrifty

Related Words: improvident, myopic, shortsighted; bighearted, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, freehearted, generous, lavish, liberal, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, philanthropic (also philanthropical), unselfish, unsparing, unstinting; careless, heedless, imprudent, incautious, injudicious, unwise; indulgent, reckless, self-indulgent, splurging, wanton

Near Antonyms: cheap, close, closefisted, mean, miserly, niggardly, parsimonious, penurious, pinching, spare, sparing, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted; careful, judicious, prudent, sensible, wise; farsighted, forehanded, foreseeing, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident

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See Synonym Discussion at profuse