prodigality
Other forms: prodigalities
Prodigality is excessive or extravagant spending. Your friend may feel he needs those gold chairs for his living room, but to everyone else it’s another example of his prodigality.
“Idleness is the greatest prodigality,” said Ben Franklin. He was probably right, but today prodigality is more often used to talk about spending monetary resources, as opposed to other kinds of resources. Prodigality does not merely refer to spending above your means. It’s excessive or wasteful spending, often with an eye toward the luxurious. Think of the Palace of Versailles, or that film star who owns ten expensive cars but doesn’t drive. Synonyms for prodigality include extravagance, profligacy, and lavishness.
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the trait of spending extravagantly
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synonyms:
extravagance, profligacy
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type of:
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improvidence, shortsightedness
a lack of prudence and care by someone in the management of resources
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improvidence, shortsightedness
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excessive spending
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synonyms:
extravagance, high life, highlife, lavishness
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type of:
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dissipation, waste, wastefulness
useless or profitless activity; using or expending or consuming thoughtlessly or carelessly
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dissipation, waste, wastefulness
Vocabulary lists containing prodigality
In this travelogue, Twain recounts his journey through Europe and the Holy Land.
In this classic novel, set in the late 19th century, Lily Bart tries to cling to her tenuous position in New York City's high society.
In this groundbreaking work, economist Adam Smith examines labor practices, commerce, and economic growth.
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