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

But there are so many other travel accessories that can make a flight feel more restful or indulgent, including a silk sleep mask, a comfortable neck pillow, or a phone stand. —Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 6 June 2026

From start to finish, the experience was relaxing and indulgent. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 4 June 2026

This indulgent version gets slathered with a homemade béchamel sauce. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 3 June 2026

No, rest is for the lazy, the Caucasian adolescent, the indolent, the indulgent—until the age of thirty. —Taiye Selasi, New Yorker, 31 May 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