profligate
/ˈpɹɒflɪɡət/
Group 16Difficulty 2/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources; licentious GRE
Example in Context
The government's profligate spending during the boom years left it with no fiscal reserves when the inevitable downturn arrived.
Synonyms
wastefulrecklessextravagant
Etymology
Striking forward in extravagance, leading to wastefulness.
- pro- (Latin) — forward
- fligere (Latin) — to strike
Memory Aid
💸Sounds like “pro flip gate”
At the party, I saw someone PRO-FLIP their GATE and money flew everywhere like confetti!
Visual Association
💰A lavish party where guests are throwing money around like it's confetti, showcasing reckless extravagance.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “profligate” mean on the GRE?
profligate (adjective) means “Recklessly extravagant or wasteful in the use of resources; licentious”. The government's profligate spending during the boom years left it with no fiscal reserves when the inevitable downturn arrived.
How to remember “profligate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “profligate” sounds like “pro flip gate”. At the party, I saw someone PRO-FLIP their GATE and money flew everywhere like confetti!
What are synonyms for “profligate”?
Common synonyms: wasteful, reckless, extravagant.