prod·i·gal
ˈprä-di-gəl 
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
H. T. Buckle1
: one who spends or gives lavishly and foolishly
2
: one who has returned after an absence
prod·i·gal·i·ty
ˌprädəˈgalətē
-lətē,
-i
plural -es
1
: extravagance or an extravagant act in expenditure especially of money : reckless spending of resources : wastefulness
his prodigality became a legend
2
: profuse liberality : lavish supply : excessive abundance
a sound understanding of the earth's prodigality—J. R. Caceres
J. R. Caceresour truly wonderful prodigality of talent—J. A. Michener
J. A. MichenerExamples of prodigal in a Sentence
Adjective
We sipped our beers and wondered at one another, at what was left of all that and of those prodigal days.
—Michael Chabon, A Model World and Other Stories, 1991
The prodigal use of antibiotics in animals has the same consequence as their overprescription for human beings.
—Cullen Murphy, New York Times Book Review, 10 June 1984
Mr. Bulstrode replied without haste, but also without hesitation. "I am grieved, though, I confess, not surprised by this information, Mr. Lydgate. For my own part, I regretted your alliance with my brother-in-law's family, which has always been of prodigal habits, and which has already been much indebted to me for sustainment in its present position … "
—George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872
the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it
Noun (1)
the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years
Michael Chabon, A Model World and Other Stories, 1991
The prodigal use of antibiotics in animals has the same consequence as their overprescription for human beings.
—Cullen Murphy, New York Times Book Review, 10 June 1984
Mr. Bulstrode replied without haste, but also without hesitation. "I am grieved, though, I confess, not surprised by this information, Mr. Lydgate. For my own part, I regretted your alliance with my brother-in-law's family, which has always been of prodigal habits, and which has already been much indebted to me for sustainment in its present position … "
—George Eliot, Middlemarch, 1872
the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it
Noun (1)
the million-dollar lottery winner was such a prodigal that his windfall was exhausted after only a few years
Recent Examples on the Web
Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
That day, Cox donned a Braves uniform and seemed like nothing so much as a prodigal son come home.
—Mark Bradley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
The food today is extraordinarily good and prodigal.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigal
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Adjective
These three prodigal sons helped to pull the team from a perilous position in the qualification table to finish as group winners.
—Amy Lawrence, New York Times, 31 May 2026
That day, Cox donned a Braves uniform and seemed like nothing so much as a prodigal son come home.
—Mark Bradley For The Ajc, AJC.com, 9 May 2026
Noun
Secrets are revealed, prodigals return, intolerances surface and family bonds are tested.
—Greg Evans, Deadline, 17 Apr. 2025
The food today is extraordinarily good and prodigal.
—Jeff Kleinman, Miami Herald, 1 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prodigal
Cite this Entry
“Prodigal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prodigal. Accessed 19 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prodigal
2 of 2 noun
: somebody who wastes money carelessly
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