noun C2 Proficient Uncommon

indulgence

ihn-DUHL-juhns

Indulgence (noun) means the act of allowing oneself or someone else a pleasure, often more than is wise. Example: “A weekly indulgence in dessert won't ruin your diet.”

noun

The act of allowing oneself or someone else a pleasure, often more than is wise.

"A weekly indulgence in dessert won't ruin your diet."

A tolerant or lenient attitude toward someone's wishes or faults.

"She thanked the audience for their indulgence during the technical delay."

In the Catholic Church, a formal reduction of the punishment due for sins, granted after confession.

"The medieval sale of indulgences was a major cause of the Reformation."

How to Use Indulgence

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishLetting yourself (or someone else) enjoy something freely, or being lenient about a fault.

Common pairings

a rare indulgence ask for your indulgence sell indulgences

Word Forms

indulgenced past tense, indulgences plural, indulgences singular

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A weekly _____ in dessert won't ruin your diet.

Etymology

From Middle French indulgence, from Latin indulgentia.

Origin: Latin

Synonyms

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folly lunacy leniency pampering craziness tomfoolery foolery lenience humoring indulging self-indulgence

Related Words

intelligence mercy tolerance madness insanity folly absurdity commotion

Rhymes for indulgence

hence fence whence thence Spence valence absence science silence defence essence ambience

See all rhymes for indulgence →

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “indulgence” mean?

The word “indulgence” means the act of allowing oneself or someone else a pleasure, often more than is wise. In plain terms, letting yourself (or someone else) enjoy something freely, or being lenient about a fault.

How do you pronounce “indulgence”?

“Indulgence” is pronounced ihn-DUHL-juhns (/ɪnˈdʌl.d͡ʒəns/ in IPA).

How do you use “indulgence” in a sentence?

Here is “indulgence” used in a sentence: “A weekly indulgence in dessert won't ruin your diet.”

What part of speech is “indulgence”?

“Indulgence” is a noun.

Where does the word “indulgence” come from?

The word “indulgence” comes from Latin. From Middle French indulgence, from Latin indulgentia.

Is “indulgence” a common word?

“Indulgence” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.

How many meanings does “indulgence” have?

“Indulgence” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the act of allowing oneself or someone else a pleasure, often more than is wise.

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