What does prodigally mean?
Prodigally means wastefully, extravagantly, or with excessive generosity. The word is especially used when money, resources, or time are spent without enough attention to whether the expenditure is sensible. “He squandered his inheritance prodigally” suggests both lavish spending and a failure to preserve what might have been useful later. The adverb can also carry a less critical sense of generosity, as in describing someone who gives generously to others, but its usual modern connotation is one of excess. It is more formal than everyday alternatives such as “lavishly” and “wastefully,” and it is useful when the speaker wants to emphasize not only the scale of spending but also its potentially irresponsible character.
adverbIn a way that spends money or uses resources wastefully, often without considering the consequences. It can also mean giving or behaving with excessive generosity.
- In a wasteful or excessively generous manner, especially with money, resources, or time.
"The company spent its reserves prodigally, funding projects that were not financially sustainable."
"They dined prodigally, ordering expensive food and imported wine."
"The charity does not give prodigally; it evaluates each application carefully."
Calling someone prodigal is one way of saying they are generous with money—but in modern English the word often carries a warning about foolish excess.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does prodigally come from?
The word comes from the Latin adjective prodigalis, meaning “wasteful” or “prodigal,” which was related to prodigere, “to drive forth” or “squander.” English borrowed the related forms prodigal and prodigality during the early modern period. The modern adverb prodigally developed from the adjective with the standard adverbial suffix -ly.
Related word forms
How prodigally is actually used
Prodigally is somewhat formal and strongly suggests wastefulness or irresponsible excess. It can describe spending money, using resources, or giving to others, although the negative sense is usually the dominant one.
Easily confused with prodigally
Prodigious means exceptionally large or impressive, whereas prodigally means wastefully or excessively.