prōdigus
The English word 'prodigal' can be translated into Latin as prōdigus. If unsure, use prōdigus. Wiktionary also lists prōdigālis.
Meaning: wastefully extravagant (adj)
Ways to say it
| Latin |
|---|
| prōdigus |
| prōdigālis |
The term is used to describe someone who is wastefully extravagant.
What does it mean word for word?
The word is built from the prefix prō-, meaning 'forth' or 'out', suggesting a sense of throwing things out or away.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective prōdigus follows the first and second declension, so its ending changes to match the gender of the noun it describes: prōdigus, prōdiga or prōdigum (masculine, feminine, neuter).
Did you know?
- In Roman law, a prodigus was not just a descriptive term but a legal status. A man declared prodigus by a court could lose his right to manage his own property to prevent him from spending it all.
Examples in context
- Ille puer prōdigus est.That boy is wasteful.
- Prōdigus homo pecuniam perdit.A wasteful man loses money.
Example conversation
Quintus and Claudia are discussing a mutual acquaintance's spending habits.
- ClaudiaScisne de Lucio?Do you know about Lucius?
- QuintusIta, ille vir prōdigus est.Yes, that man is wasteful.
- ClaudiaOmnia bona sua absumit.He spends all his good things.
- QuintusVerum est, valde prōdigus.It is true, very extravagant.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “prodigal” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
