v.
Pronunciation: in- ' d ə lj
Function: verb
Inflected Form: in · dulged ; in · dulg · ing
Etymology: Latin indulg ē re to be complaisant
Date: circa 1623
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
synonyms 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>.