What does overindulging mean?
Overindulging means allowing or enjoying something to an excessive degree. It most often describes eating or drinking more than is sensible or healthy, as in a holiday spent overindulging in rich food and alcohol, but it can also refer to excessive spending, leisure, luxury, or indulgence of another kind. The word carries a negative or cautionary connotation because it identifies behaviour as excessive rather than merely pleasurable. It is also used when a person or organisation gives someone more of something than is advisable, such as a host overindulging guests with expensive gifts. Related forms include 'overindulge' and 'overindulged.' The word belongs in discussions of habits, wellbeing, hospitality, and consumer behaviour, where it distinguishes moderate enjoyment from an amount or pattern that becomes uncontrolled or irresponsible.
verbTo indulge oneself to an excessive extent, especially in food, drink, pleasure, or luxury. It can also mean to allow someone else to do so excessively.
- To indulge oneself excessively, especially in food, drink, or pleasure.
- To permit or enable someone else to indulge excessively.
"After months of careful dieting, she spent the holiday overindulging in rich desserts and late-night snacks."
"The children overindulged in sweets during the school party."
"The hotel overindulged its guests with champagne and elaborate spa treatments."
Overindulging turns a simple pleasure into a modern-day vice: the excess, rather than the enjoyment itself, is the problem.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does overindulging come from?
The word is formed from the prefix 'over-' and the verb 'indulge,' meaning to grant oneself or someone else excessive latitude for pleasure or satisfaction. 'Indulge' comes through Old French from the Latin 'indulgere,' a word associated with leniency or permission. The derived forms 'indulgence' and 'indulgent' belong to the same Latin root, while 'overindulging' specifically adds the idea of excess.
Related word forms
How overindulging is actually used
The word is commonly used with 'in' followed by a pleasure or consumption: 'overindulging in food.' It has a mildly disapproving tone, emphasizing excess rather than ordinary enjoyment.
Easily confused with overindulging
Indulging means enjoying or allowing something as a pleasure, while overindulging means doing so to an excessive degree.