I. prod ‧ i ‧ gal 1 /ˈprɒdɪɡ ə l $ ˈprɑː-/ BrE AmE adjective [usually before noun] formal
[ Date: 1500-1600 ; Language: Latin ; Origin: prodigus , from prodigere 'to drive away, use wastefully' ]
1 . prodigal son/daughter someone who leaves their family and home without the approval of their family, but who is sorry later and returns
2 . spending money, wasting time etc in a careless way SYN extravagant :
a prodigal lifestyle
II. prodigal 2 BrE AmE noun [countable] literary
someone who spends money carelessly and wastes their time – used humorously