indulgent

adjective

in·​dul·​gent in-ˈdəl-jənt 

1

: willing to allow excessive leniency, generosity, or consideration : indulging or characterized by indulgence

indulgent grandparents

2

: done or enjoyed as a special treat or pleasure

indulgent desserts

indulgently adverb

Synonyms

• charitable
• clement
• easy
• soft

Examples of indulgent in a Sentence

He gave the child an indulgent smile.

she was perhaps a bit too indulgent with her children, who always seemed to get away with everything

Recent Examples on the Web

Etymological deep dives show that U.K. tabloids began using the term in the 2000s to report on the extravagant, indulgent, party-girl antics of the wives and girlfriends of World Cup players, including David Beckham’s pop-music star wife, Victoria. —Martha Ross, The Mercury News, 21 Feb. 2025

Tom Sandoval’s arrival at The Traitors castle felt like when Sean Spicer popped up on Dancing With the Stars: distasteful, unnecessary, indulgent. —Fran Hoepfner, Vulture, 20 Feb. 2025

Costco shoppers everywhere are thoroughly enjoying this indulgent hack. —Sophia Beams, Better Homes & Gardens, 19 Feb. 2025

Though Park makes of Finn a charming, ex-hippie mountain man, indulgent of Jesse’s quest because he’s found solace in the redwoods from a tragedy of his own, Becca, having perhaps too conveniently also faced tragedy, counters with a passion for protocol. —Jesse Green, New York Times, 14 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin indulgent-, indulgens, present participle of indulgēre

First Known Use

1509, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

indulgent

adjective

in·​dul·​gent in-ˈdəl-jənt 

: indulging or showing indulgence : lenient

an indulgent parent

indulgently adverb