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>
2. 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
3. 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
4. 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 l984

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