indulgent

[in-duhl-juhnt]

adjective

1. characterized by or showing indulgence; benignly lenient or permissive.

   an indulgent parent.

   Synonyms: tolerant, easygoing

indulgent

/ ɪnˈdʌldʒənt /

adjective

1. showing or characterized by indulgence

Other Word Forms

• indulgently adverb
• nonindulgent adjective
• nonindulgently adverb
• preindulgent adjective
• superindulgent adjective
• superindulgently adverb
• unindulgent adjective
• unindulgently adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of indulgent¹

First recorded in 1500–10; from Latin indulgent-, stem of indulgēns “taking pleasure in,” present participle of indulgēre; indulge

Example Sentences

A splash of cream softened everything into a pale, velvety sauce, and a grating of parmesan and lemon zest nudged it toward something bright and indulgent.

From Salon

The finished pasta is creamy, rich and indulgent — seriously, you can’t go wrong with TJ’s Cheddar Macaroni & Cheese for school lunch.

From Salon

The signature dish, Southern fried chicken, was enough to draw lines wrapping around the block — and the restaurant came to be viewed as an embodiment of the indulgent and buttery flavors that characterize Southern cooking.

From Los Angeles Times

Then again, for the majority of working people this is a risky, indulgent attitude; and for performers who aren’t white these are other people’s problems.

From Salon

“There’s this appetite for accessible luxury — something indulgent, but not pretentious. One perfect spoonful, then onto the next.”

From Salon

Related Words

• considerate 
• fond 
• kindly 
• permissive 
• tolerant