Definition Definition

indulge - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'indulge' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Indulge [ v. i.]
- To indulge one's self; to gratify one's tastes or desires; esp., to give one's self up (to); to practice a forbidden or questionable act without restraint; -- followed by in, but formerly, also, by to.
2 . Indulge [ v. t.]
- To be complacent toward; to give way to; not to oppose or restrain
- to give free course to; to give one's self up to; as, to indulge sloth, pride, selfishness, or inclinations;
- to yield to the desire of; to gratify by compliance; to humor; to withhold restraint from; as, to indulge children in their caprices or willfulness; to indulge one's self with a rest or in pleasure.
- To grant as by favor; to bestow in concession, or in compliance with a wish or request.

Meaning of 'indulge' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . indulge [ v]
Meaning (1):
- treat with excessive indulgence
Example in sentence:
  • grandparents often pamper the children;
  • Let's not mollycoddle our students!
Meaning (2):
- enjoy to excess
Example in sentence:
  • She indulges in ice cream
Meaning (3):
- give free rein to
Example in sentence:
  • The writer indulged in metaphorical language