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

This is a dessert bourbon in all the right ways — rich, warm, and indulgent, but never cloying. —Emily Price, Forbes.com, 29 May 2025

Tate's Bake Shop Soft Baked Cookies Tate's Bake Shop has released soft, chewy and delicious cookies in two indulgent flavors: Chocolate Chip and Dark Chocolate Chunk! —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 21 May 2025

Eventually, guilt follows when those indulgent foods are eaten in isolation. —Christine Michel Carter, Parents, 20 May 2025

Follow Hochman for continued coverage on what's delicious, refreshing, inspiring, indulgent and entertaining in California and way beyond. —David Hochman, Forbes.com, 26 May 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