Basic Details
Word: Prodigality
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The quality of spending money or resources freely and extravagantly; wastefulness.
Synonyms: Extravagance, wastefulness, lavishness
Antonyms: Frugality, thriftiness, economy
Idioms and Phrases
- Live beyond one's means: To spend more money than one can afford. Example: "After spending so much on unnecessary things, she realised she was living beyond her means."
- A penny saved is a penny earned: Saving money is just as important as making money. Example: "Instead of buying that new game, remember that a penny saved is a penny earned."
Usage Examples
Example 1: His prodigality led him to be in debt, as he constantly spent money on luxurious items he did not need.
Example 2: The prodigality of the festival impressed everyone, with endless food, decorations, and entertainment available for all.
Example 3: After learning about the dangers of prodigality, she decided to create a budget to manage her finances better.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the word 'prodigality' comes from the Latin word 'prodigus', which means 'wasteful'? It has been used in English since the 16th century to describe excessive spending.
Famous Quote
"Waste not, want not." - A traditional proverb emphasising the importance of being frugal and not wasting resources.
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "prodigality" mean?
a) The quality of being careful with money
b) The quality of spending freely and wastefully
c) The quality of saving diligently
d) The quality of earning much money
Answer: b) The quality of spending freely and wastefully
2. Which of these is a synonym of "prodigality"?
a) Economy
b) Extravagance
c) Thriftiness
d) Savings
Answer: b) Extravagance
3. Which sentence uses "prodigality" correctly?
a) His prodigality helped him save money quickly.
b) The prodigality of the dinner left guests amazed by the variety of food.
c) A prodigality in the garden made it look simple and neat.
d) The prodigality led her to find new ways to save money.
Answer: b) The prodigality of the dinner left guests amazed by the variety of food.
4. Which idiom means spending too much money?
a) Live beyond one's means
b) A penny saved is a penny earned
c) All that glitters is not gold
d) A stitch in time saves nine
Answer: a) Live beyond one's means
5. What is the opposite of "prodigality"?
a) Frugality
b) Profligacy
c) Indulgence
d) Wastefulness
Answer: a) Frugality
