indulging

/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/ (bre, ipa) · [ˌɪndˈʌldʒɪŋ] /ɪnˈdʌldʒ/ (ame, ipa) · [ˌɪndˈʌldʒɪŋ] /in-ˈdəlj/ (ame, mw)

indulging — verb

  • indulgingpresent simple I / you / we / they
  • indulgings3rd person singular
  • indulginging-ing form
  • indulgingedpast simple

1. to let yourself enjoy something you want, often something that is not good for y

1.動詞及物 / 不及物B2
釋義

to let yourself enjoy something you want, often something that is not good for your health or habits if you do it too much, such as eating a rich dessert, taking a long rest, or buying something expensive just for pleasure.

例句

After a long week, Anya indulged in a hot bath and a glass of wine.

indulge in + pleasure activity

The Kim family rarely indulges in expensive dinners at fancy restaurants.

同義詞
  • pamper

    focuses on giving careful, luxurious treatment to yourself or someone; more positive in tone (She pampered herself with a spa day)

  • treat

    suggests a one-time special pleasure without the guilt of excess; lighter register (I treated myself to a new hat)

  • satisfy

    broader; focuses on meeting a need or desire rather than going beyond what is good (He satisfied his hunger with a sandwich)

反義詞
  • deny

    to refuse oneself something enjoyable (She denied herself any dessert during Lent)

  • abstain

    formal; to choose not to do or have something enjoyable (The doctor told him to abstain from alcohol)

文法句型

indulge in + [pleasure activity / treat]

indulge + [desire / passion / hobby]

indulge + reflexive pronoun

用法筆記

Commonly used with 'in' followed by a noun or gerund (indulge in a long nap / indulge in shopping). Also used with a reflexive pronoun followed by an object (indulge yourself in a treat) or without an object (She indulged herself).

常見錯誤

I want to indulge eating chocolate.
I want to indulge in eating chocolate.
💡'indulge' needs 'in' before a gerund or noun when it means 'enjoy freely'.
She indulged him a new car.
She indulged his wish for a new car.' or 'She indulged him with a new car.
💡the thing given is the object of 'with', not a direct object after the person.

2. to give a child or someone you look after everything they ask for without tellin

2.動詞及物B2
釋義

to give a child or someone you look after everything they ask for without telling them it is wrong, so that they never learn to control their own behaviour or respect limits.

例句

Lien's grandparents often indulge her with sweets and small toys when she visits.

indulge + someone + with + something

Emre's parents never indulged him, so he learned money's value early.

同義詞
  • spoil

    stronger negative judgment; suggests the person becomes badly behaved as a result (They spoil their grandson by giving him everything he asks for)

  • pamper

    more positive or neutral; focuses on giving comfort and luxury rather than giving in to bad behaviour (The hotel staff pampered the guests)

  • coddle

    suggests treating someone too softly or protectively, often making them weak (Stop coddling the boy — let him solve his own problems)

反義詞
  • discipline

    to train someone to follow rules and behave well (Good parents discipline their children with love)

  • be strict with

    to set firm limits on someone's behaviour (Her father was strict with her about homework)

文法句型

indulge + [someone]

indulge + [someone] + with + [something]

indulge + [someone's] + [request / wish / whim]

用法筆記

Frequently passive: 'The children are indulged by their grandparents.' Object is typically a person (often a child) or a person's wish/request. This sense always carries a mildly negative judgment — the speaker thinks the person is being too generous or soft.

常見錯誤

He indulged to his son.
He indulged his son.
💡'indulge' is transitive in this sense; no 'to' needed before the person.
She indulged her child too much with buy toys.
She indulged her child too much with toys.
💡use a noun, not a verb, after 'with'.