indulging

American

[in-duhl-jing] / ɪnˈdʌl dʒɪŋ /

adjective

yielding to an inclination or desire, as by eating or drinking, engaging in a pleasurable activity, etc..

The chocolaty sweetness in this zucchini loaf makes it perfect for the indulging dieter and fussy eater alike.
yielding to someone’s wishes or whims in a lenient or permissive way; indulgent.

The menu was quite extensive, and the indulging father let his children order whatever they wanted.

noun

the act of yielding to one’s own or another’s inclination, desire, or whim; indulgence.

The primary consequence of the indulging of greed is an increase of greed.

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of indulging

First recorded in 1660–70; indulge ( def. ) + -ing ² ( def. ) for the adjective senses; indulge ( def. ) + -ing ¹ ( def. ) for the noun sense

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

At least 30 officials were cited for indulging in “vulgar tastes.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 17, 2026

Other senators were less interested in indulging me.

From Slate • Jun. 5, 2026

PSG became the team with the fewest yellow cards in Europe's top leagues as players stopped arguing with referees, stopped indulging in theatrics and embraced a disciplined, unified approach.

From BBC • May 29, 2026

The humble tomato, beloved by many yet scorned by some, slowly awakens from hibernation, reminding us that warm weather, spent indulging in fresh salads and produce-filled sandwiches, is almost here.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2026

Now they were off fishing, playing ball, indulging in all the usual summer pastimes during this brief holiday from school.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023