Prodigality — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective noun /ˈprä-di-gəl/ prod·i·gal

Meaning & Definition of Prodigality

Prodigality (adjective)

  1. characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure, lavish
  2. recklessly spendthrift
  3. yielding abundantly, luxuriant —often used with of

Prodigality (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. an instance of spending money or resources without care or restraint

    "his purchase of a new yacht was only one of a series of reckless prodigalities"

    similar: extravagance, waste
    related: indulgence, luxury, splurge, loss, wastage, dissipation, profligacy, profusion, squandering, wastefulness, overindulgence, self-indulgence, excess, immoderacy, overkill
    near: necessity, belt-tightening, conservation, economizing, economy, frugality, parsimony, penny-pinching, saving, scrimping, skimping, thrift, austerity, moderation, restraint, temperance, temperateness

  2. the quality or fact of being free or wasteful in the expenditure of money

    "his prodigality eventually turned him into a pauper"

    similar: extravagance, extravagancy, lavishness, profusion, wastefulness
    related: conspicuous consumption, splurge, bountifulness, generosity, liberality, improvidence, squandering, indulgence, overindulgence, self-indulgence, excess, immoderacy, overkill
    opposite: economy, frugality, penny-pinching
    near: austerity, moderation, restraint, temperance

Related Entry: Prodigal (adjective)

Prodigal is a different word from Prodigality. The synonyms below are for prodigal, not for prodigality.

  1. given to spending money freely or foolishly

    "the prodigal child always spent her allowance the minute she got it"

    similar: extravagant, high-rolling, profligate, spendthrift, squandering, thriftless, unthrifty, wasteful
    related: improvident, myopic, shortsighted, bighearted, bountiful, charitable, freehanded, freehearted, generous, lavish, liberal, munificent, openhanded, openhearted, philanthropic, unselfish, unsparing, unstinting, careless, heedless, imprudent, incautious, injudicious, unwise, indulgent, reckless, self-indulgent, splurging, wanton
    opposite: conserving, economical, economizing, frugal, penny-pinching, scrimping, skimping, thrifty
    near: cheap, close, closefisted, mean, miserly, parsimonious, penurious, pinching, spare, sparing, stingy, stinting, tight, tightfisted, careful, judicious, prudent, sensible, wise, farsighted, forehanded, foreseeing, foresighted, forethoughtful, provident

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Prodigality

The most common words with a similar meaning to Prodigality:

extravagance, waste, extravagancy, lavishness, profusion, wastefulness

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Prodigality

Words with the opposite meaning of Prodigality:

economy, frugality, penny-pinching

Related Words for Prodigality

indulgence, luxury, splurge, loss, wastage, dissipation, profligacy, squandering, overindulgence, self-indulgence, excess, immoderacy, overkill, conspicuous consumption, bountifulness, generosity, liberality, improvidence

Near Antonyms of Prodigality

necessity, belt-tightening, conservation, economizing, parsimony, saving, scrimping, skimping, thrift, austerity, moderation, restraint, temperance, temperateness

Word Forms of Prodigality

Derived words: prodigality (noun), prodigally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Prodigality

Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive pro-, agent

First known use: 15th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Prodigality

What does "Prodigality" mean?

"Prodigality" means characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure, lavish. As an an adjective and a noun, it is defined as: characterized by profuse or wasteful expenditure, lavish. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Prodigality"?

Other words for "Prodigality" include extravagance, waste, extravagancy, lavishness, profusion and wastefulness. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Prodigality" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Prodigality"?

There are 24 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Prodigality". Common alternatives include extravagance, waste, extravagancy, lavishness, profusion and wastefulness.

What is the opposite of "Prodigality"?

Antonyms of "Prodigality" include economy, frugality and penny-pinching. Near antonyms include necessity, belt-tightening, conservation and economizing.

How do you use "Prodigality" in a sentence?

Examples of "Prodigality" in a sentence: "his purchase of a new yacht was only one of a series of reckless prodigalities"; "his prodigality eventually turned him into a pauper".

Is "Prodigality" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Prodigality" can be used as an adjective and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Prodigality"?

"Prodigality" is pronounced /ˈprä-di-gəl/ and divided into syllables as prod·i·gal.

What is the origin of the word "Prodigality"?

"Prodigality" comes from Latin prodigus, from prodigere to drive away, squander, from pro-, prod- forth + agere to drive pro-, agent. First known use: 15th century.