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 of indulgent

• easy
• soft
• charitable

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

The pancake feels like a perfect example of that philosophy, playful, indulgent, and layered with the kind of attention that turns a late night craving into one of the city’s most memorable brunch dishes. — Emma Jacobson, Bon Appetit Magazine, 24 July 2026

Caviar, Vintage Cuvees, and Tableside Rituals For Royal Ascot, Brown’s built the experience around breakfast, elevating the first meal of the day into an indulgent affair before guests departed for the racecourse. — Rachel Dube, Forbes.com, 22 July 2026

With five flavors of ice cream layered on a simple sugar cone, this colorful and indulgent delight has become an icon of the city. — Jasmine Thompson, Midwest Living, 17 July 2026

The seasoning stayed subtle in all the dishes, but the harissa roasted carrots balanced sweetness, spice, and caramelized edges in a way that made vegetables feel indulgent. — Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

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