prodigal

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Adjective 1.2.1 Synonyms 1.2.2 Antonyms 1.2.3 Derived terms 1.2.4 Translations 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Synonyms 1.3.2 Translations 1.4 External links

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From Late Latin prodigalis (“‘wasteful’”) < Latin prodigus (“‘wasteful, lavish, prodigal’”) < prodigere (“‘to consume, squander, drive forth’”) < pro (“‘before, forward’”) + agere (“‘to drive’”).

[edit] Adjective

prodigal (comparative more prodigal, superlative most prodigal)

1. wastefully extravagant.

   He found himself guilty of prodigal spending during the holidays.

   He is not 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

[edit] Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:prodigal

[edit] Antonyms

• (a prodigal person): frugal

[edit] Derived terms

• prodigal son

[edit] Translations

[edit] Noun

prodigal (plural prodigals)

1. A prodigal person, a spendthrift.

[edit] Synonyms

• See also Wikisaurus:spendthrift

[edit] Translations

[edit] External links

• prodigal in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913
• prodigal in The Century Dictionary, The Century Co., New York, 1911
• prodigal at OneLook® Dictionary Search