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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

How to Use Indulge: Definition & Examples (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：treat oneself (indulge)

indulge 🔊

/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/

To allow yourself to enjoy something you like, even if it's not very good for you.

Indulge definition illustrated by a person happily enjoying a delicious piece of cake.

treat oneself 🔊

➕

/triːt wʌnˈself/

To allow oneself to enjoy a particular pleasure, especially one that is considered a luxury or is not strictly necessary.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'indulgēre' (to be kind to, to yield to), from 'in-' (towards) + 'dulgēre' (to be fond of).

💡 Mnemonic

INside, you DoULGE in pleasure. Think of 'dulge' sounding like 'delve' into something enjoyable.

📖 Example

After finishing the difficult exam, I decided to indulge in a big slice of chocolate cake. 🔊 After finishing the difficult exam, I decided to treat myself to a big slice of chocolate cake.

🔗 Collocations

indulge in – to allow oneself to enjoy the pleasure of something

indulge a craving – to satisfy a strong desire for something

occasionally indulge – to treat oneself once in a while

🔄 Synonyms

pamper (v.) – to treat with excessive care or kindness, often by providing luxuries

spoil (v.) – to harm someone's character by being too lenient or generous (contextually similar for self)

🚫 Antonyms

deprive (v.) – to deny oneself the possession or use of something

abstain (v.) – to restrain oneself from doing or enjoying something

🌱 Derivatives

indulgence (n.) – the act of indulging; something enjoyed as a treat

indulgent (adj.) – characterized by or given to indulgence; lenient

📖 Cultural Story

The word 'indulge' entered English from Latin via French. In Roman culture, 'indulgēre' often carried a sense of yielding to or being lenient towards desires, a concept that persists in its modern meaning of allowing oneself or another a special pleasure.

Meaning 2：spoil someone (indulge)

indulge 🔊

/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/

To be too generous or lenient with someone, allowing them to have or do whatever they want.

Indulge meaning shown as an adult spoiling a child by giving them a toy.

spoil someone 🔊

➕

/spɔɪl ˈsʌmwʌn/

To allow someone to have or do whatever they want, often to an excessive degree that may not be beneficial for them.

📁 Category：Social Roles 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

Her grandparents often indulge her by buying her a new toy every time they visit. 🔊 Her grandparents often spoil her by buying her a new toy every time they visit.

🔗 Collocations

indulge someone – to be very lenient or generous towards a person

indulge a child – to allow a child to have its own way excessively

indulge someone's whims – to humor or give in to someone's sudden desires

🔄 Synonyms

coddle (v.) – to treat in an overprotective or indulgent way

pamper (v.) – to give someone special treatment, making them very comfortable

🚫 Antonyms

discipline (v.) – to train someone to obey rules or a code of behavior

restrict (v.) – to put a limit on someone's actions or freedom

🌱 Derivatives

indulgence (n.) – lenient or tolerant treatment, especially of a child

indulgent (adj.) – having or indicating a tendency to be overly generous or lenient