Basic Details
Word: Prodigality
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: Spending money or using things in a careless, wasteful way; also a very generous or lavish amount.
Synonyms: wastefulness, extravagance, lavishness
Antonyms: thrift, economy, frugality
How to Spell Prodigality
Syllables: prod - i - gal - i - ty
Tricky part: There is an i after the d and another after the l: prod-i-gal-i-ty. The l is single, so prodigallity is wrong.
Watch out for: prodigallity, prodigility, prodegality, prodigalaty
Memory tip: Build it in two steps: write prodigal, then add ity. Nothing is doubled at the join.
Usage Examples
Example 1: The king's prodigality emptied the royal treasury within a few years.
Example 2: Throwing away good food at a wedding is a kind of prodigality.
Example 3: His friends warned him about his prodigality with his first salary.
Fun Fact
The adjective prodigal is best known from the Bible parable of the Prodigal Son, a young man who wastes his share of his father's wealth and then returns home.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word prodigality as used in the sentence:
His prodigality with money left him penniless within two years of winning the prize.
a) lavishness
b) wastefulness
c) extravagance
d) thrift
Show answer
d) thrift. Extravagance, wastefulness and lavishness mean spending freely; thrift means careful saving.
Word Cookie
Fill in the missing letters to complete the word:
prod_gal_ty
a) e, i
b) i, i
c) i, a
d) a, i
Show answer
b) i, i. Prodigal has an i after the d, and the ending ity brings the second i.
Spell-o-Spell
Only one of these words is spelt correctly. Choose its meaning:
1. benefactar 2. prodigality 3. catastrofe 4. ingenuety
a) cleverness in inventing things
b) wasteful spending of money or resources
c) a sudden great disaster
d) someone who gives money to help a cause
Show answer
b) wasteful spending of money or resources. Catastrophe needs ph, benefactor ends in or and ingenuity has an i; prodigality is spelt right.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which habit shows prodigality?
a) saving part of your pocket money each month
b) mending a torn shirt instead of buying one
c) switching off fans when you leave a room
d) buying new shoes every week and throwing out old ones
Show answer
d) buying new shoes every week and throwing out old ones
2. Which word is closest in meaning to prodigality?
a) wastefulness
b) honesty
c) carefulness
d) cleverness
Show answer
a) wastefulness
