profligacy: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal
Quick answer
What does “profligacy” mean?
reckless wastefulness and extravagance, especially with money or resources.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
reckless wastefulness and extravagance, especially with money or resources.
shameless immoral behaviour or licentiousness.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Universally negative, connoting criticism, irresponsibility, and a lack of moral or fiscal restraint.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency in formal/written contexts in both varieties; rarely used in casual speech.
Grammar
How to Use “profligacy” in a Sentence
the profligacy of [NP]profligacy in [NP/V-ing]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “profligacy” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not applicable. Verb form is 'profligate' (rare as verb). The noun is used.]
American English
- [Not applicable. Verb form is 'profligate' (rare as verb). The noun is used.]
adverb
British English
- [Adverb form is 'profligately'. Example: The trust fund was profligately depleted within a decade.]
American English
- [Adverb form is 'profligately'. Example: They lived profligately on credit before the crash.]
adjective
British English
- [Adjective form is 'profligate'. Example: The council's profligate spending angered residents.]
American English
- [Adjective form is 'profligate'. Example: The mayor was criticized for his profligate use of public funds.]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to criticise corporate or government spending, e.g., 'The board condemned the financial profligacy of the previous management.'
Academic
Found in economics, political science, and history texts analysing fiscal policy, corruption, or societal decay.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used in news commentary or serious discussion about spending habits.
Technical
Not a technical term in most fields.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “profligacy”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “profligacy”
- Confusing spelling with 'proficiency'. Incorrect: 'His profligacy with languages was impressive.' (should be 'proficiency').
- Using it to mean mere abundance without negative wastefulness, e.g., 'a profligacy of flowers' (better: 'profusion').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while primarily about wasteful spending of resources, it can historically/literarily refer to shameless immoral behaviour. The financial sense is now dominant.
'Extravagance' can be neutral or mildly critical (lavish spending). 'Profligacy' is strongly negative, implying reckless, immoral, or irresponsible waste.
Almost never. Its core meaning carries a strong judgement of wrongdoing and excess.
Adjectives like 'financial' and 'fiscal' are very common, as the word is frequently used in economic and political criticism.
reckless wastefulness and extravagance, especially with money or resources.
Profligacy is usually formal in register.
Profligacy: in British English it is pronounced /ˈprɒflɪɡəsi/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈprɑːflɪɡəsi/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[none directly, but often used in the phrase 'an era of profligacy']”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'PROFessional (PROF) spendthrifts LIG (lie) about their spending, leading to financial profligACY.'
Conceptual Metaphor
IMMORALITY IS WASTE / A WASTEFUL LIFE IS A DISSOLUTE LIFE.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following scenarios BEST illustrates 'profligacy'?