INDULGE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

indulge

[ in-duhlj ]
See synonyms for: indulgeindulgedindulging on Thesaurus.com

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.

  1. to allow (oneself) to follow one's will (usually followed by in): to indulge oneself in reckless spending.

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

Origin of indulge

1
First recorded in 1630–40; from Latin indulgēre “to be lenient toward, to accede, to take pleasure in”

synonym study For indulge

3. See humor.

Other words for indulge

Other words from indulge

  • in·dulg·er, noun
  • pre·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, adjective

Words Nearby indulge

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use indulge in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for indulge

indulge

/ (ɪnˈdʌldʒ) /


verb
  1. (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

  2. (tr) to yield to the wishes of; pamper: to indulge a child

  1. (tr) to allow oneself the pleasure of something: at Christmas he liked to indulge himself

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

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

Origin of indulge

1
C17: from Latin indulgēre to concede, from -dulgēre, probably related to Greek dolikhos long, Gothic tulgus firm

Derived forms of indulge

  • indulger, noun
  • indulgingly, adverb

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