indulge
verb /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/
Verb Forms
| present simple I / you / we / they indulge | /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/ /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/ |
| he / she / it indulges | /ɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/ /ɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/ |
| past simple indulged | /ɪnˈdʌldʒd/ /ɪnˈdʌldʒd/ |
| past participle indulged | /ɪnˈdʌldʒd/ /ɪnˈdʌldʒd/ |
| -ing form indulging | /ɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/ /ɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/ |
- [intransitive, transitive] to allow yourself to have or do something that you like, especially something that is considered bad for you
- indulge in something They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping.
- She has never been one to indulge in gossip.
- She was free to indulge in a little romantic daydreaming.
- indulge yourself (with something) I indulged myself with a long hot bath.
- For a special treat, indulge yourself with one of these luxury desserts.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- occasionally
- freely
- be able to
- be free to
- can
- …
- in
- with
- [transitive] indulge something to satisfy a particular desire, interest, etc.
- The inheritance enabled him to indulge his passion for art.
- In the closing lines, the poet indulges his sense of irony.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- occasionally
- freely
- be able to
- be free to
- can
- …
- in
- with
- [transitive] to be too generous in allowing somebody to have or do whatever they like
- indulge somebody (with something) She did not believe in indulging the children with presents.
- His questions were annoying but it was easier to indulge him than try and protest.
- indulge something Her father had always indulged her every whim.
Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb- occasionally
- freely
- be able to
- be free to
- can
- …
- in
- with
- [intransitive] indulge in something to take part in an activity, especially one that is illegalOxford Collocations Dictionaryadverb
- occasionally
- freely
- be able to
- be free to
- can
- …
- in
- with
Word Originearly 17th cent. (in the sense ‘treat with excessive kindness’): from Latin indulgere ‘give free rein to’.