prodigal
13 synonyms and 2 antonyms for prodigal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Spending money or resources wastefully and extravagantly.
Synonyms
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
improvident
imprudent
loose-handed
profligate
spendthrift
squandering
uneconomical
unthrifty
wasteful
squanderer
Synonyms by Meaning
1. adjective
Spending money or resources wastefully and extravagantly.
“His prodigal spending left him broke within a year.”
extravagant
improvident
imprudent
lavish
loose-handed
profligate
reckless
spendthrift
squandering
uneconomical
unthrifty
wasteful
Opposites
2. noun
A person who spends money recklessly; a spendthrift.
“He was the family prodigal, always broke by the end of the month.”
profligate
squanderer
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.
Full origin of prodigal →Frequently asked questions
What does “prodigal” mean?
The word “prodigal” means spending money or resources wastefully and extravagantly. In plain terms, wastefully extravagant with money — or, from the Bible story, someone who left and later comes back.
How do you pronounce “prodigal”?
“Prodigal” is pronounced PRO-dih-guhl (/ˈpɹɑdɪɡəl/ in IPA).
How do you use “prodigal” in a sentence?
Here is “prodigal” used in a sentence: “His prodigal spending left him broke within a year.”
What is another word for “prodigal”?
Words with a similar meaning to “prodigal” include extravagant, improvident, imprudent, lavish, loose-handed and profligate.
What is the opposite of “prodigal”?
The opposite of “prodigal” — its antonyms — are frugal and stingy.
What part of speech is “prodigal”?
Depending on how it is used, “prodigal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “prodigal” come from?
The word “prodigal” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin prōdigālis, "wasteful," from Latin prōdigus, "lavish, wasteful." The "returning after abandonment" sense comes from the biblical Parable of the Prodigal Son.
How many meanings does “prodigal” have?
“Prodigal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: spending money or resources wastefully and extravagantly.
