Word bank

Improve your reading skills, Memorize words and practice vocabulary

Memorized by 80+ users

profligate

/ˈpɹɒflɪɡət/
Meanings
  • adjective, noun

    Living or behaving in a reckless and extravagant way, especially in a way that disregards morality or conventional behavior.

    - "His profligate lifestyle eventually led to his downfall."
    - "The profligate nobleman squandered his inheritance on gambling and women."
    - "Despite her profligate behavior, she was still loved by her family."
Pronunciation
  1. /ˈpɹɑːflɪɡət/



    Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2833368"
  2. /ˈpɹɑːflɪɡeɪt/



    Source: "https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2833369"
Synonyms

wastrel , overcome , immoral , licentious , extravagant , prodigal , wasteful
Rhymes
Words rhyming with profligate
vagabond , wanderlust , profane , obscene
Variants
List of all variants of profligate that leads to same result
profligate , profligately , profligates
Forms
Different forms of the word (e.g., verb conjugations, plural forms, comparative/superlative forms for adjectives).

profligate's, profligacy, profligately

Etymology
origin and the way in which meanings have changed throughout history.

Originally meaning 'wandering from place to place', from Latin profligare, from pro 'forth' + fligare 'to fly'. The modern meaning developed in the 18th century.

Trivia
Any details, considerations, events or pieces of information regarding the word

  1. The word 'profligate' has been used in English since the 16th century.

  2. In the 18th century, the word 'profligate' was used to describe individuals who were sexually immoral or promiscuous.

Related Concepts
informations on related concepts or terms closely associated with the word. Discuss semantic fields or domains that the word belongs to

  1. Dissipation: The act of wasting resources or energy, often in a reckless or extravagant manner. Profligate behavior is a form of dissipation.

  2. Hedonism: The belief that pleasure or happiness is the highest good. Profligate behavior is often associated with hedonistic pursuits.

Quotes
Quotes by authors and personalities

  1. In a curious way, part of the genius of America has been a collective forgetfulness, a talent for somehow outdistancing problems in a headlong race toward something new. It is a form of heedlessness, perhaps, blithe and "profligate", but also an exuberant forward spin that may spare people the exhausting obligations of revenge.

    - Lance Morrow,{it}Time{/it},4 Apr. 1988

  2. Sure, the trade deficit symbolizes a "profligate" America, consuming more than it produces and spending more than it has.

    - Philip Revzin,{it}Wall Street Journal{/it},17 Mar. 17, 1988

  3. Everyone seemed fond of statistics, but the counterterrorism experts were especially "profligate" with numbers.

    - Kurt Andersen,{it}Time{/it},24 June 1985
Culture
Any cultural, historical, or symbolic significance of the word. Explore how the word has been used in literature, art, music, or other forms of expression.

Profligate is often used to describe individuals who live excessively and disregard societal norms. It has been used in literature to portray characters who are immoral or hedonistic. For example, in Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment, the protagonist Raskolnikov is described as a 'profligate' due to his immoral actions.

How to Memorize "profligate"

  1. visualize

    - Visualize someone living a lavish lifestyle, disregarding societal norms and morals.

  2. associate

    - Associate the word with reckless behavior, excess, and disregard for morality.

  3. mnemonics

    - Remember that 'profligate' describes someone who is living a life of excess and disregard for morality.

🧠 Bonus Tips

To help you remember the word 'profligate', follow these practical tricks with steps:

1. Rhyming Trick: Associate the word 'profligate' with the word 'igate', which rhymes with it. Imagine a large, extravagant gate (an 'igate') that is used to welcome guests to a lavish mansion. The owner of the mansion is a 'profligate' person who spends money recklessly.

2. Visual Trick: Imagine a person who is 'profligate' throwing money out of a window. The money is flying out of the window and landing on the street, where it is being picked up by strangers. This visual image will help you remember that a 'profligate' person wastes money.

3. Mnemonic Sentence: Create a sentence that uses the word 'profligate'. For example, 'The profligate businessman spent his entire fortune on a single extravagant party.' This sentence will help you remember the meaning of the word 'profligate'.

4. Flashcards: Make a flashcard with the word 'profligate' on one side and a definition or visual image on the other. Review the flashcard regularly to help reinforce the word in your memory.

5. Spaced Repetition: Use a spaced repetition system to review the word 'profligate' at increasing intervals. This will help you to remember the word in the long term.

Memorize "profligate" using Dictozo

The best and recommended way to memorize profligate is, by using Dictozo. Just save the word in Dictozo extension and let the app handle the rest. It enhances the memorization process in two ways:

  1. Highlighting:

    Whenever users encounters the saved word on a webpage, Dictozo highlights it, drawing the user's attention and reinforcing memorization.

  2. Periodic Reminders:

    Dictozo will send you periodic reminders to remind you the saved word, it will ask you quiz. These reminders could be in the form of notifications or emails, prompting users to recall and reinforce their knowledge.

Install Now