prodigal son a person who leaves home to lead a spendthrift and extravagant way of life but later makes a repentant return.

☞ The biblical parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15: 11–32 tells the story of the spendthrift younger son of a wealthy man who leaves home and wastes all his money. When he repents of his extravagant ways and returns home, he is joyfully welcomed back by his father. See also kill the fatted calf atfatted.