prodigal
What does "prodigal" mean?
The word "prodigal" describes someone who spends money or resources in a recklessly extravagant, wasteful way. The mental image is of a person throwing away their wealth carelessly, often with a sense of excess that borders on being foolish or self-destructive. In modern usage, it is most frequently encountered in the fixed phrase "prodigal son," which refers to someone who leaves home to live a wild life but eventually returns, usually seeking forgiveness. Outside of this religious or literary reference, it is used to critique someone’s spendthrift habits or to describe an abundance that is almost wasteful in its scale.
"prodigal" in a sentence
The prodigal spender eventually found himself with an empty bank account.
The prodigal spender eventually found himself with an empty bank account.
Nature is prodigal with her gifts, scattering seeds across the forest floor by the millions.
Nature is prodigal with her gifts, scattering seeds across the forest floor by the millions.
Despite his prodigal lifestyle in his youth, he became a remarkably frugal businessman in his later years.
Despite his prodigal lifestyle in his youth, he became a remarkably frugal businessman in his later years.
