Meaning of prodigal in English

Table of contents
  1. Pronunciation
  2. Classifying Adjective
    1. Definitions
  3. Noun
    1. Definitions

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈprɑdəɡəl/

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  1. Classifying Adjective

    prodigal

    Definitions

    1. very generous

    Examples

    • « distributed gifts with a lavish hand »
    • « the critics were lavish in their praise »
    • « a munificent gift »
    • « his father gave him a half-dollar and his mother a quarter and he thought them munificent »
    • « prodigal praise »
    • « unsparing generosity; »

    Synonyms

  2. 2. recklessly wasteful

    Examples

    • « prodigal in their expenditures »

    Synonyms

  3. 3. marked by rash extravagance

    Examples

    • « led a prodigal life »

    Synonyms

  4. Noun

    prodigal

    Definitions

    1. a recklessly extravagant consumer

    Derived terms

Famous quotes

  • « Every parent is at some time the father of the unreturned prodigal, with nothing to do but keep his house open to hope. »
    John Ciardi
  • « 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. »
    Vance Havner

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