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Webster 1913 Edition

Prodigal

Prod′i-gal

,
Adj.
[L.
prodigus
, from
prodigere
to drive forth, to squander away;
pro
forward, forth +
agere
to drive; cf. F.
prodigue
. See
Agent
. ]
Given to extravagant expenditure; expending money or other things without necessity; recklessly or viciously profuse; lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical;
as, a
prodigal
man; the
prodigal
son;
prodigal
giving;
prodigal
expenses.
In fighting fields [patriots] were
prodigal
of blood.
Dryden.
Syn. – Profuse; lavish; extravagant; squandering; wasteful. See
Profuse
.

Prod′i-gal

,
Noun.
One who expends money extravagantly, viciously, or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish in any expenditure; a waster; a spendthrift.
“Noble prodigals of life.”
Trench.

Webster 1828 Edition

Prodigal

PROD'IGAL

,
Adj.
[L. produgus, from prodigo, to drive forth, to lavish.]
1.
Given to extravagant expenditures; expending money or other things without necessity; profuse, lavish; wasteful; not frugal or economical; as a prodigal man; the prodigal son. A man may be prodigal of his strength, of his health, of his life or blood, as well as of his money.
2.
Profuse, lavish; expended to excess or without necessity; as prodigal expenses.
3.
Very liberal; profuse. Nature is prodigal of her bounties.

PROD'IGAL

,
Noun.
One that expends money extravagantly or without necessity; one that is profuse or lavish; a waster; a spendthrift.

Definition 2024

prodigal

prodigal

English

Adjective

prodigal ‎(comparative more prodigal, superlative most prodigal)

  1. wastefully extravagant.
    He found himself guilty of prodigal spending during the holidays.
    He is a prodigal son.
  2. (often followed by of or with) someone yielding profusely, lavish
    She was a merry person, glad and prodigal of smiles.
    How can he be so prodigal with money on such a tight budget?
  3. profuse, lavishly abundant
  4. returning after abandoning a person, group, or ideal, especially for selfish reasons; being a prodigal son.
    • 2012 August 12, Paul Owen, “London 2012 Olympics: day 10”, in The Guardian:
      Simon Hart of the Daily Telegraph has tweeted that the prodigal triple-jumper has come home, in preparation for tomorrow's qualification round.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:prodigal

Antonyms

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

prodigal ‎(plural prodigals)

  1. A prodigal person, a spendthrift.

Synonyms

  • See also Wikisaurus:spendthrift

Translations

Etymology

From Middle French prodigal, 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”).

Pronunciation

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɒdɪɡəl/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈpɹɑdɪɡəl/, [ˈpʰɹɑɾɪɡɫ̩]

Similar Results