English dictionary, thesaurus, translations & etymology
FreeDict.com

prodigal

The origin and history of prodigal.

Etymology

From Late Latin prōdigālis, "wasteful," from Latin prōdigus, "lavish, wasteful." The "returning after abandonment" sense comes from the biblical Parable of the Prodigal Son.

← Back to the full definition of prodigal
Etymology from freedict-original, original.