Prodigal
adjective
Someone who spends money or resources freely and wastefully.
He became a prodigal son, spending all his inheritance on luxury items and partying.
Often appears as...
- prodigal son
- prodigal spending
adjective
Someone or something that is very generous, abundant or lavish.
The prodigal nature of spring is apparent in the abundant blossoms everywhere.
Often appears as...
- prodigal nature
- prodigal in generosity
noun
A person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return.
His story reminded me of the prodigal who returned home after many years of recklessness.
Often appears as...
- return of the prodigal
- prodigal's return
Usage tips
Literary
adjective
Someone who spends money or resources freely and wastefully.
He became a prodigal son, spending all his inheritance on luxury items and partying.
Often appears as...
- prodigal son
- prodigal spending
adjective
Someone or something that is very generous, abundant or lavish.
The prodigal nature of spring is apparent in the abundant blossoms everywhere.
Often appears as...
- prodigal nature
- prodigal in generosity
noun
A person who leaves home and behaves recklessly, but later makes a repentant return.
His story reminded me of the prodigal who returned home after many years of recklessness.
Often appears as...
- return of the prodigal
- prodigal's return
Usage tips
Literary
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word implies a negative judgment about spending habits; it's often a criticism.
Her prodigal ways led to a mountain of debt.
Pro Tip 2/3Moral Lesson
Used in moral lessons, 'prodigal' can suggest the downfall that follows reckless spending.
The prodigal son learned his lesson after squandering his wealth.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Reference
'Prodigal son' often references the Biblical parable teaching about forgiveness and repentance.
He was treated as the prodigal son upon his return to the company.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word implies a negative judgment about spending habits; it's often a criticism.
Her prodigal ways led to a mountain of debt.
Pro Tip 2/3Moral Lesson
Used in moral lessons, 'prodigal' can suggest the downfall that follows reckless spending.
The prodigal son learned his lesson after squandering his wealth.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Reference
'Prodigal son' often references the Biblical parable teaching about forgiveness and repentance.
He was treated as the prodigal son upon his return to the company.
Pro Tip 1/3Negative Connotation
The word implies a negative judgment about spending habits; it's often a criticism.
Her prodigal ways led to a mountain of debt.
Pro Tip 2/3Moral Lesson
Used in moral lessons, 'prodigal' can suggest the downfall that follows reckless spending.
The prodigal son learned his lesson after squandering his wealth.
Pro Tip 3/3Cultural Reference
'Prodigal son' often references the Biblical parable teaching about forgiveness and repentance.
He was treated as the prodigal son upon his return to the company.
Compare with
dissipateextravagantimprudentlavishprofligaterestrainspendthriftuncontrolledwasteful
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Video examples
Young Lions Learn...
The return of the prodigal sons, hungry and humiliated.
Video examples
Young Lions Learn...
The return of the prodigal sons, hungry and humiliated.
Example 1 of 1
Quote examples
Becky Lynch
Irish Athlete
My whole 'WWE' career has been rebuilding myself and finding the confidence that I once had. It's been one hell of a journey. There have been times I felt like the prodigal son because I left wrestling and abandoned this thing that I loved.
Quote examples
Hjalmar Branting
Swedish Statesman
I do not overlook the fact that the appearance of these new, free nations in the European political community not only celebrates the return of the prodigal son but also creates new sources of friction here and there.
Quote examples
Kayleigh McEnany
American Public Servant
We all know the story of the prodigal son. Confident he knows what is best for him, he recklessly squanders his inheritance. The Occupy Wall Streeters are just that, the prodigal protesters.
Quote examples
Anne Graham Lotz
American Clergyman
Every time I see my brother, I just praise God for God's grace in his life. Because if God can change Franklin from a prodigal into a man of God, he can do it for anybody.
Quote examples
Vance Havner
American Clergyman
If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
Quote examples
Vikram
Indian Actor
I don't see coming to Kerala as a commercial exercise; it's a human venture. Every film I make, I come here. I am the prodigal son.
Quote examples
John Ciardi
English Dramatist
Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to do but keep his house open to hope.
Quote examples
Sean Evans
American Entertainer
Prodigal sons like Barack Obama, Kanye West, and Michael Jordan only come back to Chicago to sell their homes.
Quote examples
Han Fei
Chinese Philosopher
The severe household has no fierce slaves, while it is the affectionate mother who has the prodigal son.
Quote examples
Edwin Louis Cole
American Author
The pattern of the prodigal is: rebellion, ruin, repentance, reconciliation, restoration.
Quote examples
Becky Lynch
Irish Athlete
My whole 'WWE' career has been rebuilding myself and finding the confidence that I once had. It's been one hell of a journey. There have been times I felt like the prodigal son because I left wrestling and abandoned this thing that I loved.
Quote examples
Hjalmar Branting
Swedish Statesman
I do not overlook the fact that the appearance of these new, free nations in the European political community not only celebrates the return of the prodigal son but also creates new sources of friction here and there.
Quote examples
Kayleigh McEnany
American Public Servant
We all know the story of the prodigal son. Confident he knows what is best for him, he recklessly squanders his inheritance. The Occupy Wall Streeters are just that, the prodigal protesters.
Quote examples
Anne Graham Lotz
American Clergyman
Every time I see my brother, I just praise God for God's grace in his life. Because if God can change Franklin from a prodigal into a man of God, he can do it for anybody.
Quote examples
Vance Havner
American Clergyman
If they had a social gospel in the days of the prodigal son, somebody would have given him a bed and a sandwich and he never would have gone home.
Quote examples
Vikram
Indian Actor
I don't see coming to Kerala as a commercial exercise; it's a human venture. Every film I make, I come here. I am the prodigal son.
Quote examples
John Ciardi
English Dramatist
Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to do but keep his house open to hope.
Quote examples
Sean Evans
American Entertainer
Prodigal sons like Barack Obama, Kanye West, and Michael Jordan only come back to Chicago to sell their homes.
Quote examples
Han Fei
Chinese Philosopher
The severe household has no fierce slaves, while it is the affectionate mother who has the prodigal son.
Quote examples
Edwin Louis Cole
American Author
The pattern of the prodigal is: rebellion, ruin, repentance, reconciliation, restoration.
Example 1 of 10
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