guilty pleasure

[ gil-tee plezh-er ]

noun

1. an activity, habit, food, etc., that a person feels shame or guilt for enjoying, often because they feel they will be judged by others:

   TV shows meant for teens are a guilty pleasure many adults just can't get enough of.

   Eating healthfully is important, but treating yourself to a guilty pleasure from time to time is definitely not a crime.

Word History and Origins

Origin of guilty pleasure¹

First recorded in 1680–90

Example Sentences

These programs can potentially trigger aggression, making them more than just a guilty pleasure.

From The Daily Beast

But only as long as you call that fandom a “guilty pleasure.”

From The Daily Beast

On his favorite guilty pleasure film: Oh, probably Resident Evil, the first one.

From The Daily Beast

It is great fun to pore over clues and tunnel into a tree trunk like termites, and I am not apologizing for a guilty pleasure.

From The Daily Beast

The scimitar mouth pulled back in a mad crow of triumph, the face sweating with guilty pleasure.

From The Daily Beast

The spirit of the world is one of self-indulgence and guilty pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg

At last, sated with guilty pleasure, he languidly turned his steps toward Paris.

From Project Gutenberg

Of the threatened punishment, the "bed" of tribulation and sorrow instead of that of guilty pleasure, nothing need be said.

From Project Gutenberg

I abandoned myself to her hands with the most guilty pleasure, while she accompanied her gentle play with the prettiest prattle.

From Project Gutenberg

But I had been too much startled to return to what I had grown to feel almost a guilty pleasure.

From Project Gutenberg