profligate

USAGE SUMMARY

"profligate" is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adjective that means "recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources," and can be used in formal writing. An example sentence could be: "The profligate spending of the country's reserves has caused a financial crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This new, profligate – almost punk — kind of business model trashed the tenets of an older generation brought up with rationing and restriction.

The Guardian

Hardline Republicans suddenly realised prisons had become profligate symbols of state failure and, to the delight of experts and liberals, shifted resources into tackling underlying causes of crime such as addiction, chaotic backgrounds, inadequate education and mental health issues.

The Guardian - Opinion

Nick Clegg will want to portray himself as the middle way between extreme Tory cuts and profligate Labour spending, as well as emphasising his party's firm commitment to the EU and willingness to stand up to Ukip.

The Guardian

No German politician ever dared put the country's membership to a referendum, and with a booming export industry and a government committed to reducing the national debt, many Germans are furious at having to put up money to save states they see as profligate freeriders.

The Guardian - Opinion

Rich countries in the north like Finland and the Netherlands – Angela Merkel's coalition too in state elections – are revolting against the tax burdens they feel they bear to bail out the "profligate" south.

The Guardian

His party has no members of parliament, a situation unlikely to change at the next election, and offers promiscuous and profligate policies that add up to errant nonsense as a platform for government.

The Guardian - Opinion

There is disappointingly little new on climate change, and plenty to indicate that there is no enthusiasm for challenging Britain's profligate carbon consumption.

The Guardian - Opinion

Davis was especially profligate when he took possession inside the area, turned into unchallenged space and from 12 yards, with only Olejnik to beat, sent the shot wide of the goalkeeper's left post.

The Guardian - Sport

It's the Greeks and the Irish, who can't inflate their way out of the crisis via Anglo-Saxon "quantitative easing" and who are facing years of austerity to compensate for the profligate ways of the past.

The Guardian - Opinion

The global norm is four; London has a profligate 12.

The Guardian

After joining the euro in 2001 – and after a profligate decade that included an $8bn Olympic Games and torrent of cheap money – Greece hit a fiscal cliff in 2010.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "profligate" when you want to emphasize not only the wastefulness of something but also its potential moral implications or recklessness.

Common error

Avoid mistaking "profligate", which means wasteful or extravagant, with "proficient", which means skilled or competent. While seemingly similar, they carry vastly different meanings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "profligate" is as an adjective, modifying nouns to describe a tendency towards wastefulness or extravagance. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates reckless spending and sometimes moral decay. For instance, one might speak of a "profligate government" or a "profligate lifestyle".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

16%

Science

16%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "profligate" functions as an adjective to describe something characterized by wastefulness and extravagance. Its usage spans across various contexts, with a strong presence in news and media, as identified by Ludwig. The term carries a slightly formal tone and implies a critical judgment of the behavior or entity being described. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, using "profligate" can often imply a moral dimension to the wastefulness. Its common usage and presence in authoritative sources like The Economist and The Guardian solidify its place as a useful and correct term in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extravagant

Refers to spending money freely or excessively; more neutral in tone than "profligate".

wasteful

Emphasizes the inefficient use of resources; lacks the moral undertones of "profligate".

spendthrift

Specifically describes someone who spends money freely and unwisely; focuses on personal financial habits.

prodigal

Similar to "profligate", suggesting excessive generosity or wastefulness; often used in a literary or biblical context.

dissipated

Describes a lifestyle characterized by excessive indulgence in pleasure, often implying moral decline.

licentious

Focuses on immoral or unrestrained behavior, particularly in sexual contexts; a more specific and stronger term.

debauched

Suggests corruption or moral degradation through excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures; implies a more profound level of depravity.

degenerate

Indicates a decline in quality or moral standards; a broader term that can apply to individuals, societies, or artistic movements.

ruinous

Focuses on the destructive consequences of excessive spending or behavior; emphasizes the negative impact.

improvident

Describes a lack of foresight or planning, particularly in financial matters; emphasizes the lack of prudence.

FAQs

How can I use "profligate" in a sentence?

You can use "profligate" to describe someone who spends resources recklessly, like "The "prodigal" heir was known for his profligate spending habits", or to describe wasteful behavior, such as "The company's profligate use of energy contributed to environmental problems".

What is a synonym for "profligate" that emphasizes financial waste?

Alternatives to "profligate" that focus on financial waste include "spendthrift", "wasteful", and "extravagant". Each emphasizes different aspects of unwise spending.

What is the difference between "profligate" and "extravagant"?

"Extravagant" typically describes lavish spending, while "profligate" implies reckless and wasteful expenditure, often with moral disapproval. "Profligate" carries a stronger negative connotation than "extravagant".

Is "profligate" formal or informal?

"Profligate" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it is more common in formal writing and speech due to its precise and somewhat literary tone. Its appropriateness depends on the audience and the specific message you intend to convey.