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prodigal

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prodigal

Main Entry:: ¹prod·i·gal
Pronunciation:: \ˈprä-di-gəl\
Function:: adjective
Etymology:: Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive — more at pro-, agent
Date:: 15th century

1 : characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure : lavish <a prodigal feast> <prodigal outlays for her clothes> 2 : recklessly spendthrift <the prodigal prince> 3 : yielding abundantly : luxuriant —often used with of<nature has been so prodigal of her bounty — H. T. Buckle>

synonyms see profuse

— prod·i·gal·i·ty

Listen to the pronunciation of prodigality

\ˌprä-də-ˈga-lə-tē\ noun

— prod·i·gal·ly

Listen to the pronunciation of prodigally

\ˈprä-di-g(ə-)lē\ adverb

Learn more about "prodigal" and related topics at Britannica.com

See a map of "prodigal" in the Visual Thesaurus

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