First Known Use: circa 1623
Dictionary
indulge
verb in·dulge \in-ˈdəlj\
: to allow (yourself) to have or do something as a special pleasure
: to allow (someone) to have or do something even though it may not be proper, healthy, appropriate, etc.
: to patiently allow (someone) to do or say something
in·dulgedin·dulg·ing
Full Definition of INDULGE
transitive verb
1
a : to give free rein to b : to take unrestrained pleasure in : gratify
2
a : to yield to the desire of : humor <please indulge me for a moment> b : to treat with excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration
intransitive verb
: to indulge oneself
— in·dulg·er noun
See indulge defined for English-language learners
See indulge defined for kids
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Origin of INDULGE
Latin indulgēre to be complaisant
Related to INDULGE
- Synonyms
- cater (to), gratify, humor
- Antonyms
- deny
Synonym Discussion of INDULGE
indulge, pamper, humor, spoil, baby, mollycoddle mean to show undue favor to a person's desires and feelings. indulge implies excessive compliance and weakness in gratifying another's or one's own desires <indulged myself with food at the slightest excuse>. pamper implies inordinate gratification of desire for luxury and comfort with consequent enervating effect <pampered by the amenities of modern living>. humor stresses a yielding to a person's moods or whims <humored him by letting him tell the story>. spoil stresses the injurious effects on character by indulging or pampering <foolish parents spoil their children>. baby suggests excessive care, attention, or solicitude <babying students by grading too easily>. mollycoddle suggests an excessive degree of care and attention to another's health or welfare <refused to mollycoddle her malingering son>.
Rhymes with INDULGE
INDULGE Defined for Kids
indulge
verb in·dulge \in-ˈdəlj\
in·dulgedin·dulg·ing
Definition of INDULGE for Kids
1
: to give in to the desires of <Grandparents often indulge their grandchildren.>
2
: to give in to a desire for something <For my birthday, I indulged in a day off.>
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