indulgence

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /ɪnˈdʌl.d͡ʒəns/ See IPA manual

Freq #20566

Meanings

1

noun
Something you allow yourself to enjoy as a special treat.

A long bath with a good book is her favourite indulgence.
2

noun
The act of letting yourself or others do or have whatever is wanted.

His parents' indulgence meant he never learned to wait for anything.
3

noun
In the Catholic Church, the cancelling of punishment due for sins after they have been forgiven.

In the Middle Ages, the Church sold indulgences, promising buyers less time in purgatory.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

2 noun · the act of letting yourself... lenience

Word family

Forms indulgences

Derived forms homedulgenceindulgencernonindulgenceoverindulgenceself-indulgenceunderindulgence

Related forms indulge indulgent

Etymology

From Middle English indulgence, indulgens, from Middle French indulgence and its source, Latin indulgentia.

indulgence Middle English indulgentia Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Abstract Ideas Word Formation & Derivatives

External links

# indulgence

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /ɪnˈdʌl.d͡ʒəns/
**Frequency rank:** 20566

## Meanings
1. Something you allow yourself to enjoy as a special treat.
2. The act of letting yourself or others do or have whatever is wanted.
3. In the Catholic Church, the cancelling of punishment due for sins after they have been forgiven.

## Examples
- A long bath with a good book is her favourite indulgence.
- His parents' indulgence meant he never learned to wait for anything.
- In the Middle Ages, the Church sold indulgences, promising buyers less time in purgatory.

## Derived Forms
- homedulgence
- indulgencer
- nonindulgence
- overindulgence
- self-indulgence
- underindulgence

## Related Forms
- indulge
- indulgent

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: indulgence
- Root: indulgentia

## Etymology
From Middle English indulgence, indulgens, from Middle French indulgence and its source, Latin indulgentia.

## AI Etymology
Indulgence is from Middle English indulgence, indulgens, from Middle French indulgence and its source, Latin indulgentia. In present-day use, it can mean something you allow yourself to enjoy as a special treat, or the act of letting yourself or others do or have whatever is wanted. Derived formations include homedulgence, indulgencer, nonindulgence, overindulgence, and self-indulgence.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas
- Word Formation & Derivatives

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