Top Definitions
Synonyms
Quiz
Related Content
Examples
British

indulge

[ in-duhlj ]

/ ɪnˈdʌldʒ /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for: indulge / indulged / indulging on Thesaurus.com

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.).

OTHER WORDS FOR indulge

3 pamper, favor.

See synonyms for indulge on Thesaurus.com

VIDEO FOR INDULGE

Is "Indulge" A Positive Or Negative Word?

"Indulge" actually started off as a good thing ... so what is it now?

MORE VIDEOS FROM DICTIONARY.COM

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

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

in·dulg·er, nounin·dulg·ing·ly, adverbpre·in·dulge, verb (used with object), pre·in·dulged, pre·in·dulg·ing.qua·si-in·dulged, adjective

re·in·dulge, verb, re·in·dulged, re·in·dulg·ing.un·in·dulged, adjectiveun·in·dulg·ing, adjective

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. 2022

How to use indulge in a sentence

Not just in reduced capacity, so reduced checks per table each night, but also in getting diners to want to indulge in dining indoors at all.
What it’s like to open a new restaurant during a pandemic|Rachel King|October 7, 2020|Fortune
They also indulge in their love of getting incredibly bleak.
Every episode of Gilmore Girls, ranked|Constance Grady|October 6, 2020|Vox
This weekend, indulge in some tourism through three separate short stories about three very different women.
Listen to Africa’s Singing Giants|Joshua Eferighe|October 2, 2020|Ozy
So if you can’t — or simply prefer not to — go to the theater this weekend, you can still indulge in a deliciously original retelling of an old story.
7 daring movie adaptations of literary classics|Allegra Frank|August 28, 2020|Vox

The idea of sticking with the safest thing has become almost as unthinkable as indulging in the danger of a movie in a theater or a drink at the bar.
Every Decision Is A Risk. Every Risk Is A Decision.|Maggie Koerth (maggie.koerth-baker@fivethirtyeight.com)|July 21, 2020|FiveThirtyEight
We indulge in expensive cold-pressed juices and SoulCycle classes, justifying these purchases as investments in our health.
How Taryn Toomey’s ‘The Class’ Became New York’s Latest Fitness Craze|Lizzie Crocker|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The more we appease, the more we indulge, the more emboldened the enemies of freedom become.
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Our Duty Is to Keep Charlie Hebdo Alive|Ayaan Hirsi Ali|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Though, some would still indulge, even with the risk of punishment.
Beaten By His Church for Being Gay|Justin Jones|December 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Miller says her service allows men to indulge their basest fantasies.
Sex, Suicide, and Homework: The Secret World of the Telephone Hotline|Tim Teeman|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These grisly images drew a huge audience, and allowed that audience to indulge in righteous indignation.
How the Media Failed to Nail the NFL|Steve Almond|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
At the same time he is appreciative and very amusing, and one has no chance to indulge in melancholy with him.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
Some of the tribes inhabiting the district of the lower Amazon indulge in snuff-taking.
Tobacco; Its History, Varieties, Culture, Manufacture and Commerce|E. R. Billings.
The council, however, resolved not to indulge the king, for fear of a dangerous precedent.
The Book of Anecdotes and Budget of Fun;|Various
Never indulge in uncommon words, or in Latin and French phrases, but choose the best understood terms to express your meaning.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness|Florence Hartley
The blood hummed through Garnache's head as he tightened his lips and watched this gentleman indulge his inexplicable mirth.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

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, adverb

Word 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 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012