prodigal implies reckless or wasteful lavishness threatening to lead to early exhaustion of resources.

PRODIGAL definition: 1. spending or using large amounts of money, time, energy, etc., especially in a way that is not…. Learn more.

PRODIGAL definition: wastefully or recklessly extravagant. See examples of prodigal used in a sentence.

1. a disobedient and irresponsible son who wastes money on a life of pleasure and later returns home to ask for his parents' forgiveness.

There are 11 meanings listed in OED's entry for the word prodigal, one of which is labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Definition of prodigal adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 11, 2025 · prodigal (comparative more prodigal, superlative most prodigal) He found himself guilty of prodigal spending during the holidays. The prodigal son spent his share of his inheritance until he …

You can describe someone as a prodigal son or daughter if they leave their family or friends, often after a period of behaving badly, and then return at a later time as a better person.

(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?

prodigal son/daughter : a son/daughter who leaves his or her parents to do things that they do not approve of but then feels sorry and returns home — often used figuratively