indulge

[in-duhlj]

verb (used without object)

indulged, indulging 

1. to yield to an inclination or desire; allow oneself to follow one's will (often followed byin ).

   Dessert came, but I didn't indulge.

   They indulged in unbelievable shopping sprees.

verb (used with object)

indulged, indulging 

1. to yield to, satisfy, or gratify (desires, feelings, etc.).

   to indulge one's appetite for sweets.

2. to yield to the wishes or whims of; be lenient or permissive with.

   to indulge a child.

   Synonyms: favor, pamper

3. to allow (oneself ) to follow one's will (usually followed byin ).

   to indulge oneself in reckless spending.

4. Commerce.,  to grant an extension of time, for payment or performance, to (a person, company, etc.) or on (a bill, note, etc.).

indulge

/ ɪnˈdʌldʒ /

verb

1. to yield to or gratify (a whim or desire for)

   to indulge a desire for new clothes

   to indulge in new clothes

2. (tr) to yield to the wishes of; pamper

   to indulge a child

3. (tr) to allow oneself the pleasure of something

   at Christmas he liked to indulge himself

4. (tr) commerce to allow (a debtor) an extension of time for payment of (a bill, etc)

5. informal,  (intr) to take alcoholic drink, esp to excess

Other Word Forms

• indulger noun
• preindulge verb (used with object)
• quasi-indulged adjective
• reindulge verb
• unindulged adjective
• indulgingly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indulge¹

First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin indulgēre “to be lenient toward, to accede, to take pleasure in”

Word History and Origins

Origin of indulge¹

C17: from Latin indulgēre to concede, from -dulgēre, probably related to Greek dolikhos long, Gothic tulgus firm

Synonym Study

See humor.

Example Sentences

I started identifying as a writer and began my journey into being an amateur snob, saying things like, “I don’t eat McDonald’s — I guffaw at the idea of a person indulging in McDonald’s!”

Read more on Salon

The last time Liu was in Belfast was two years ago when she says she indulged in "a lot of carbs".

Read more on BBC

When I did indulge in human conversation, I was worse and worse at it—thanks to all that time talking to ChatGPT.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But he also made headlines for indulging in one of the nation's favorite pairings -- fried chicken and beer, known as "chimaek".

Read more on Barron's

Oda House – I’m a sucker for Georgian food, which is rare where I live, so I jump at every chance to indulge.

Read more on Salon

Related Words

• entertain 
• nourish 
• pamper 
• satiate 
• satisfy 
• spoil 
• take care of 
• tickle