What does indulging mean?
Indulging is the present participle and gerund of the verb indulge. It usually means allowing oneself to enjoy something fully or without restraint, as in “indulging in a favourite treat,” but it can also refer to gratify someone else's wishes or give someone excessive latitude. The word often carries a mild suggestion of self-indulgence, especially when the pleasure or desire involved is considered unnecessary or excessive. In everyday use, “indulging in” introduces an activity, while “indulging oneself” emphasizes personal gratification. Indulging can sound approving when it describes a harmless luxury, but more critical when it suggests overindulgence or indulgence of undesirable behaviour. Its history also reflects a change in emphasis: the word originally developed from the idea of yielding or granting something, before becoming closely associated with pleasure and gratification.
verbAs the present participle and gerund of indulge, it means allowing oneself to enjoy or take pleasure in something, or gratifying a desire without restraint.
- Allowing oneself to enjoy or take pleasure in something, especially without restraint.
- Gratifying a desire or treating someone leniently by satisfying their wishes.
"After months of discipline, she allowed herself the indulgence of a long, unhurried afternoon with a good book."
"He spent the afternoon indulging in memories of his childhood."
"The company was accused of indulging the executive's repeated demands for special treatment."
From Latin indulgere, meaning “to yield or grant,” indulging began with the idea of giving way before acquiring its modern sense of taking pleasurable liberties.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indulging come from?
The English verb indulge developed during the 16th century from Old French endulgier and Latin indulgere, meaning “to yield, grant, or allow.” The present-participle form indulging follows that English verb, while forms such as indulgence and indulgent continue the same Latin root.
Related word forms
How indulging is actually used
Indulging is neutral when it describes ordinary pleasure, but it can sound disapproving when it refers to excessive or selfish gratification. The form is used both as a present participle and as a gerund.
Easily confused with indulging
Indulging refers to an action, whereas indulgent is an adjective describing someone who is permissive or excessively accommodating.