indulging
B2Neutral to formal
Definition
Meaning
Allowing oneself or another to enjoy something pleasurable, often excessively or without restraint.
Showing leniency or tolerance; catering to desires or whims; engaging in self-gratification or luxury.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often carries connotations of excess or self-indulgence; can be positive (treating oneself) or negative (overindulgence) depending on context.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning; both varieties use 'indulging in' similarly.
Connotations
Similar connotations of pleasure or excess in both British and American English.
Frequency
Slightly more common in British English in literary contexts, but widely used in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
indulge in + noun phraseindulge + object + with + noun phraseindulge + object + in + noun phraseVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “indulge in a little luxury”
- “indulge one's fancy”
- “indulge in wishful thinking”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rarely used; may appear in contexts like 'indulging in corporate hospitality' or 'indulging in executive perks'.
Academic
Used in discussions of psychology, sociology, or literature to describe self-indulgence, leniency, or hedonistic behavior.
Everyday
Common in conversations about personal treats, hobbies, or occasional excesses, e.g., indulging in dessert or a hobby.
Technical
Not typically used in technical fields; no specialized meaning.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- She is indulging in a cup of tea after a long day.
- They were indulging in nostalgic conversations about the past.
American English
- He's indulging in some Netflix binge-watching tonight.
- We indulged in a lavish brunch over the weekend.
adjective
British English
- The indulging parent often gave in to the child's demands.
- Her indulging attitude was seen as overly permissive.
American English
- His indulging behavior led to spoiled grandchildren.
- The indulging coach allowed extra practice time.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is indulging in her favorite chocolate.
- He likes indulging in cartoons on Saturday.
- They enjoyed indulging in luxury during their vacation.
- After work, she relaxes by indulging in a good book.
- The author was accused of indulging in verbose descriptions that slowed the plot.
- He avoids indulging in sweets to maintain his diet.
- The politician's speech was criticized for indulging in populist rhetoric without substantive policy.
- Indulging in speculative investments can lead to significant financial risk.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'dulge' rhyming with 'bulge' – imagine a stomach bulging from indulging in too much food.
Conceptual Metaphor
INDULGING IS IMMERSING ONESELF IN PLEASURE
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating directly as 'позволять' which is broader; use 'баловать себя' or 'предаваться' for closer meaning.
- Do not use 'indulging' for simple permission; it implies excess or pleasure, not mere allowance.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'indulging' without 'in' (e.g., 'I indulging chocolate' instead of 'I am indulging in chocolate').
- Confusing with 'enjoying' which is more general and lacks the connotation of excess.
Practice
Quiz
What is the most accurate implication of 'indulging' in typical usage?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it can be positive when referring to treating oneself occasionally, but it often implies excess which can be viewed negatively depending on context.
Yes, in transitive patterns like 'indulging someone' meaning to allow them to have or do what they want, e.g., 'She indulged her grandson with extra sweets.'
The noun form is 'indulgence', as in 'He allowed himself the indulgence of a spa day.'
'Indulging' often implies allowing oneself something beyond normal limits or with a sense of luxury, while 'enjoying' is more general and neutral, without connotation of excess.