From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishprodigal son/daughterprodigal son/daughter formalsomeone who leaves their family and home without the approval of their family, but who is sorry later and returns → prodigal
Examples from the Corpus
prodigal son/daughter• He is a classic modern tough guy as well as being an Old Testament prodigal son.• The play, very moral in tone throughout, is a reworking of the theme of the return of the prodigal son.• When the music stopped, Gary concentrated on the parable of the prodigal son.• The parable of the prodigal son conveys at a conscious level a message about the need for forgiveness and acceptance.• The prodigal son had returned to Parkhead.• A prodigal daughter, I had learned in only one day, I was not.• A final provocative statement from a life-long prankster, a prodigal son of Harvard, it seems so fitting.• The prodigal son will feast with harlots no more. 