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
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Origin of INDULGE

Latin indulgēre to be complaisant
First Known Use: circa 1623

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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