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
1
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."
2
A tolerant or lenient attitude toward someone's wishes or faults.
"She thanked the audience for their indulgence during the technical delay."
3
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 notesIn 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
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Word forms
- Plural
- indulgences
- Third person singular
- indulgences
- Past tense
- indulgenced
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
A weekly _____ in dessert won't ruin your diet.
Etymology
From Middle French indulgence, from Latin indulgentia.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for indulgence
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.
