indulge
[ in-duhlj ]
/ ɪnˈdʌldʒ /
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verb (used without object), in·dulged, in·dulg·ing.
to yield to an inclination or desire; allow oneself to follow one's will (often followed by in): Dessert came, but I didn't indulge. They indulged in unbelievable shopping sprees.
verb (used with object), in·dulged, in·dulg·ing.
to yield to, satisfy, or gratify (desires, feelings, etc.): to indulge one's appetite for sweets.
to yield to the wishes or whims of; be lenient or permissive with: to indulge a child.
to allow (oneself) to follow one's will (usually followed by in): to indulge oneself in reckless spending.
Commerce. to grant an extension of time, for payment or performance, to (a person, company, etc.) or on (a bill, note, etc.).
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QUIZZES
QUIZ YOURSELF ON “THEIR,” “THERE,” AND “THEY’RE”
Are you aware how often people swap around “their,” “there,” and “they’re”? Prove you have more than a fair grasp over these commonly confused words.
Question 1 of 7
Which one of these commonly confused words can act as an adverb or a pronoun?
Origin of indulge
First recorded in 1630–40, indulge is from the Latin word indulgēre “to be lenient (toward), accede, take pleasure (in)”
synonym study for indulge
3. See humor.
OTHER WORDS FROM indulge
Words nearby indulge
inductive statistics, inductor, inductothermy, indue, in due course, indulge, indulgence, indulgency, indulgent, induline, indult
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for indulge
British Dictionary definitions for indulge
indulge
/ (ɪnˈdʌldʒ) /
verb
(when intr, often foll by in) to yield to or gratify (a whim or desire for)to indulge a desire for new clothes; to indulge in new clothes
(tr) to yield to the wishes of; pamperto indulge a child
(tr) to allow oneself the pleasure of somethingat Christmas he liked to indulge himself
(tr) commerce to allow (a debtor) an extension of time for payment of (a bill, etc)
(intr) informal to take alcoholic drink, esp to excess
Derived forms of indulge
indulger, nounindulgingly, adverbWord Origin for indulge
C17: from Latin indulgēre to concede, from -dulgēre, probably related to Greek dolikhos long, Gothic tulgus firm
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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