Meaning & use
the prodigal
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Meanings
nounsingularliteraryreligion
The wasteful or extravagant person, especially in the biblical parable of the prodigal son.
Grammar: Usually used with 'the' to refer to a specific person or character. It can be used more generally to mean any wasteful person.
Patterns
- the prodigal son
- the prodigal returns
In the parable, the prodigal returns home and is welcomed by his father.
The novel's hero is a modern prodigal who spends his inheritance on travel.
adjectivebefore a nounliterary
Wasteful with money or resources; extravagantly spendthrift.
Grammar: Used before a noun, as in 'prodigal spending'. It is not usually used after a verb like 'be'.
Patterns
- prodigal son
- prodigal lifestyle
His prodigal habits left him with nothing.
The prodigal spending of the government was criticized.
Common combinations
- the prodigal son
- The story of the prodigal son is well known.
- prodigal spending
- The company's prodigal spending led to bankruptcy.
- prodigal lifestyle
- He lived a prodigal lifestyle, always buying expensive cars.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wasteful
- More general and neutral; 'prodigal' is more literary and suggests reckless extravagance.
- extravagant
- Focuses on spending too much; 'prodigal' often implies wasting everything.
Opposites
Word family
- prodigality noun
- The quality of being wasteful.
Commonly confused: the prodigal or prodigious? the prodigal or prodigy?
the prodigal vs prodigious
Means very large or impressive, not wasteful. 'A prodigious talent' is a huge talent, while 'a prodigal talent' would be a talent that is wasted.
the prodigal vs prodigy
A young person with exceptional talent. It is not related in meaning to 'prodigal'.
Practice
What does 'the prodigal' usually refer to in the phrase 'the prodigal son'?
Choose one answer.
In the biblical parable, the prodigal son wastes his inheritance and then returns home. 'Prodigal' means wasteful, not talented or generous.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “the prodigal”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.