indulge

[ in-duhlj ]

verb (used without object)

, in·dulged, in·dulg·ing.

1. 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.

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 by in ):

   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. whenintr, often foll by in to yield to or gratify (a whim or desire for)

   to indulge in new clothes

   to indulge a desire for 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

Derived Forms

• inˈdulger, noun
• inˈdulgingly, adverb

Other Words From

• in·dulg·er noun
• pre·in·dulge verb (used with object) preindulged preindulging
• qua·si-in·dulged adjective
• re·in·dulge verb reindulged reindulging
• un·in·dulged adjective

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

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.

From Fortune

They also indulge in their love of getting incredibly bleak.

From Vox

This weekend, indulge in some tourism through three separate short stories about three very different women.

From 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.

From 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.

From FiveThirtyEight

We indulge in expensive cold-pressed juices and SoulCycle classes, justifying these purchases as investments in our health.

From The Daily Beast

The more we appease, the more we indulge, the more emboldened the enemies of freedom become.

From The Daily Beast

Though, some would still indulge, even with the risk of punishment.

From The Daily Beast

Miller says her service allows men to indulge their basest fantasies.

From The Daily Beast

These grisly images drew a huge audience, and allowed that audience to indulge in righteous indignation.

From The Daily Beast

At the same time he is appreciative and very amusing, and one has no chance to indulge in melancholy with him.

From Project Gutenberg

Some of the tribes inhabiting the district of the lower Amazon indulge in snuff-taking.

From Project Gutenberg

The council, however, resolved not to indulge the king, for fear of a dangerous precedent.

From Project Gutenberg

Never indulge in uncommon words, or in Latin and French phrases, but choose the best understood terms to express your meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

The blood hummed through Garnache's head as he tightened his lips and watched this gentleman indulge his inexplicable mirth.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

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