好词典

profligate

UK //ˈprɒflɪɡət//US //ˈprɑːflɪɡət//

词源

源自拉丁语 'profligatus'(意为'堕落的'),由 'pro-'(向前)和 'fligere'(击倒)组成,字面意思是'被彻底打倒的',16世纪进入英语。

adjective

❶ 形容挥霍无度、奢侈浪费的行为或人,通常带有道德谴责意味,指对金钱或资源毫不节制的使用。

“The profligate prince spent all his fortune on extravagant parties.”

(这位挥霍无度的王子把全部财产都花在了奢侈的派对上。)

“She was criticized for her profligate use of company funds.”

(她因肆意挥霍公司资金而受到批评。)

❶ 形容道德败坏或行为放荡的人,特指在性关系或享乐方面毫无节制。

“The novel depicts the profligate aristocrat's scandalous life.”

(小说描绘了这位放荡贵族丑闻缠身的生活。)

“In his youth, he was known as a profligate womanizer.”

(年轻时,他以风流成性闻名。)

同义词:wasteful, extravagant, dissolute, prodigal, reckless

noun

❶ 指挥霍浪费的人或道德败坏者,通常带有强烈的负面评价色彩。

“The old miser saw all young spenders as profligates.”

(这个老守财奴把所有年轻花钱者都看作败家子。)

“History remembers him as a profligate who squandered his inheritance.”

(历史将他记载为挥霍遗产的浪荡子。)

同义词:spendthrift, wastrel, libertine, debauchee, rake

常见短语

profligate spending — 特指政府或组织不顾后果的巨额开支,常引发财政危机或公众批评。

“The opposition condemned the administration's profligate spending on unnecessary projects.”

(反对党谴责政府在非必要项目上的挥霍开支。)

profligate son — 文学作品中常见的败家子形象,通常出自富裕家庭却挥霍家产。

“The parable of the profligate son teaches about repentance and forgiveness.”

(浪子的寓言教导人们关于悔改与宽恕的道理。)