indulge
ihn-DUHLJ
Indulge (verb) means to allow oneself to enjoy something desired, often without restraint. Example: “She indulged in a slice of chocolate cake after dinner.”
verb
1
To allow oneself to enjoy something desired, often without restraint.
"She indulged in a slice of chocolate cake after dinner."
2
To satisfy someone's wishes or whims, often by giving in too easily.
"I love to indulge myself with beautiful clothes."
"Internet shopping invites you to gaze out upon the entire bazaar all at once and to indulge the merest whim"
— Samanth Subramanian, How our home delivery habit reshaped the world (2019)
"The grandparents love to indulge their grandchildren with treats."
"Grandma indulges the kids with sweets."
How to use indulge
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo give in and enjoy something, or to let someone have what they want.
Common pairings
indulge a craving
indulge yourself
indulge a child
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- indulges
- Past tense
- indulged
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
She _____ in a slice of chocolate cake after dinner.
Etymology
From Latin indulgere ("to indulge, be lenient toward").
Synonyms
View more →
give in to
pamper
spoil
treat oneself
baby
cocker
featherbed
mollycoddle
mother
namby-pamby
nanny
posset
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for indulge
See all rhymes for indulge →Frequently asked questions
What does “indulge” mean?
The word “indulge” means to allow oneself to enjoy something desired, often without restraint. In plain terms, to give in and enjoy something, or to let someone have what they want.
How do you pronounce “indulge”?
“Indulge” is pronounced ihn-DUHLJ (/ɪnˈdʌld͡ʒ/ in IPA).
How do you use “indulge” in a sentence?
Here is “indulge” used in a sentence: “She indulged in a slice of chocolate cake after dinner.”
What is another word for “indulge”?
Words with a similar meaning to “indulge” include baby, cocker, featherbed, mollycoddle, mother and namby-pamby.
What is the opposite of “indulge”?
The opposite of “indulge” — its antonyms — are drive, push and work.
What part of speech is “indulge”?
“Indulge” is a verb.
Where does the word “indulge” come from?
The word “indulge” comes from Latin. From Latin indulgere ("to indulge, be lenient toward").
Is “indulge” a common word?
“Indulge” is an uncommon word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between "indulge" and "spoil"?
"Indulge" can describe either treating yourself to something enjoyable or giving in too easily to someone else's wishes, while "spoil" specifically implies giving a person, often a child, so much that it damages their character or habits. "Indulge" is more neutral and can be a one-time treat, whereas "spoil" suggests a pattern with a negative outcome.
Can "indulge" be used reflexively, as in "indulge yourself"?
Yes, "indulge" is commonly used reflexively to mean allowing oneself to enjoy something desired without restraint, as in "she indulged herself with a day at the spa." It can also be used without an object, as in "please, indulge."
Is "indulge in" followed by a noun or a verb?
"Indulge in" is typically followed by a noun or a gerund (verb + -ing), such as "indulge in chocolate" or "indulge in daydreaming." It is not followed by a plain infinitive verb form.
