How to pronounce prodigal
Say it like PRAH-dih-gul. Prodigal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce prodigal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- PRAH
- dih
- gul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Prodigal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- PRAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- gulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of prodigal
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: PROD-ih-gul.
What does prodigal mean?
- A prodigal person; a spendthrift; a wastrel.
- Wastefully extravagant.“He found himself guilty of prodigal spending during the holidays.”
- Yielding profusely, lavish.“She was a merry person, glad and prodigal of smiles.”
- Profuse, lavishly abundant.
Where does prodigal come from?
The senses of "abandoning a person or cause" and "returning after abandonment" are by allusion to the New Testament story commonly called "The Parable of the Prodigal Son", Luke 15:11–32.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Questions about saying prodigal
How do you pronounce prodigal?
Say PRAH-dih-gul. The American pronunciation is /ˈprɑdɪɡəl/. In British English it is /ˈprɒdɪɡəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in prodigal?
Prodigal has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (PRAH). Broken into parts: PRAH · dih · gul.
Is prodigal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈprɒdɪɡəl/ (PROD-ih-gul).