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profligate definition

prof·li·gate (präf′li git)

adjective

  1. immoral and shameless
  2. extremely wasteful; recklessly extravagant

Etymology: L profligatus, pp. of profligare, to strike to the ground, rout, ruin < pro-, forward (see pro-) + fligere, to drive, dash (see inflict)

noun

a profligate person

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

profligate Synonyms

profligate

modif.

dissolute, abandoned, depraved; see lewd 2, wicked 1.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

profligate Usage Examples

Modifies a noun

  • spending: Isn't the real reason for this Government's dilemma the uncontrolled profligate spending of local authorities.

Modifying Another Word

  • so: It was poor today and against better sides United cannot afford to be so profligate.

Preposition: in

  • front: We'll need to be less profligate in front of goal next week.
profligate usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

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MLA Style

"profligate." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 3 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/profligate>

APA Style

profligate. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 3rd, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/profligate

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