prodigality: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal
Quick answer
What does “prodigality” mean?
The quality or fact of spending money or resources recklessly, or being extremely wasteful.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or fact of spending money or resources recklessly, or being extremely wasteful.
Extravagant abundance or lavishness; the quality of being profuse or giving on a generous and wasteful scale. Can also refer to a great or excessive amount of something.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Both varieties use the word in formal contexts. The pronunciation differs (see IPA).
Connotations
Equally negative in both varieties, associated with imprudence, excess, and moral failing.
Frequency
Low-frequency, formal word in both regions. More common in written analysis (literary, historical, economic) than in everyday speech.
Grammar
How to Use “prodigality” in a Sentence
prodigality of [noun] (e.g., prodigality of spirit)prodigality with [noun] (e.g., prodigality with funds)prodigality in [verb+ing] (e.g., prodigality in spending)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “prodigality” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The heir prodigaled his fortune within a decade.
- They were warned not to prodigal the firm's reserves.
American English
- The heir prodigaled his fortune within a decade.
- They were warned not to prodigal the company's reserves.
adverb
British English
- He spent prodigally, with no thought for tomorrow.
- Resources were used prodigally during the boom years.
American English
- He spent prodigally, without a thought for tomorrow.
- Resources were used prodigally during the economic boom.
adjective
British English
- His prodigal spending on luxury cars was widely reported.
- They led a prodigal lifestyle funded by debt.
American English
- His prodigal spending on luxury cars made the news.
- They lived a prodigal lifestyle funded by credit.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Criticism of a company's or executive's reckless spending and poor financial management.
Academic
Analysis of historical figures, economic policies, or literary characters known for wasteful excess.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used to humorously or critically describe someone's extremely wasteful habits.
Technical
Used in economics or ethics discussions concerning resource allocation and moral hazards of consumption.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “prodigality”
Strong
Neutral
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “prodigality”
- Misspelling as 'prodegality' or 'prodigiality'.
- Using it as a positive term (e.g., 'her prodigality with compliments' – better: 'profusion').
- Confusing it with 'prodigy' (a talented child).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Overwhelmingly negative. It implies reckless waste and lack of judgment, not praise-worthy generosity.
Generosity is giving liberally and willingly, often praised. Prodigality is giving or spending recklessly and wastefully, always criticised.
Yes. While often financial, it can describe waste or excessive lavishness of non-material things: 'a prodigality of natural resources', 'prodigality of emotion'.
In critical contexts, 'profligacy'. More generally, 'extravagance' or 'wastefulness'.
The quality or fact of spending money or resources recklessly, or being extremely wasteful.
Prodigality is usually formal in register.
Prodigality: in British English it is pronounced /ˌprɒd.ɪˈɡæl.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌprɑː.dəˈɡæl.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms specific to 'prodigality'. It is the core noun.]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PRODIGAL son from the famous parable, who wasted his inheritance. PRODIGALity is the noun form of his wasteful behaviour.
Conceptual Metaphor
RESOURCES ARE LIQUIDS (to be poured out wastefully); WASTEFULNESS IS A MORAL STAIN.
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'prodigality' used CORRECTLY?