indulgence

USAGE SUMMARY

"indulgence" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to describe an instance of allowing someone or yourself to do or have something that is usually not allowed or encouraged. Example sentence: His parents allowed him a few extra hours of indulgence after he promised he would finish all of his chores.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

The minister who condemned historic indulgence of sink schools was in effect proposing to deny struggling pupils the chance to earn any respected qualifications at all.

The Guardian

Foundation director of DADA, Ayodele Arigbabu, described the collection and other similar video and visual art work (in an email): "Far more than aesthetic indulgence, these renditions are a calibration of the changes deemed necessary in today's political, technical and cultural infrastructure".

The Guardian - Tech

But he's telling parliament on indulgence that he won't contest the election.

The Guardian

"Indulgence" foods are also big sellers - like biscuits covered in yoghurt icing and carob-coated biscuits.

The Guardian - Business

On indulgence Tony Abbott makes his first remarks on this subject.

The Guardian

She does not appear to pay, and Ray offers her every indulgence such as the swimming pool entirely to herself.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

The lavish food, wine, clothes, cars and sensuous self-indulgence – the easy grace of the true aristocracy – is deeply envied by the middle-class upstart Ryder: the outsider, looking in – who yearns to emulate such consummate style.

The Guardian - Books

Moreover, the invocations of the 50s usually accompanied a denunciation of the 60s, a period invariably presented as a regrettable era of self-indulgence and excess.

The Guardian - Opinion

The feminist poet Audre Lorde says: "Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it's self-preservation, and that is an act of political warfare".

The Guardian

Related: The Guardian view on the Charles letters: self-indulgence on an industrial scale | Editorial The Guardian challenged that again and won at the court of appeal on 12 March 2014.

The Guardian

Especially through a first half in which the long odds-on favourites should have fallen at least one but probably two goals behind, the Ibrox players evinced the woolly headed and stiff-jointed movement of men whose nights have been spent concentrating on self-indulgence.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indulgence" to denote a treat or something that is not a necessity but is enjoyed for pleasure. For example, "A massage is a well-deserved indulgence."

Common error

Avoid overuse of the word "indulgence" in formal or academic writing where a more neutral term like "consideration" or "leniency" might be more appropriate. Overusing it may make your writing sound overly dramatic or informal.

Linguistic Context

The word "indulgence" primarily functions as a noun, referring to the act of indulging or the state of being indulged. Ludwig AI confirms it's commonly used to describe instances of allowing oneself or others to enjoy something, often seen as a treat or luxury.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indulgence" functions primarily as a noun, used to describe the act of indulging or something enjoyed as a treat. Ludwig AI confirms the word is grammatically correct and usable in written English. Its usage spans various contexts, from News & Media to Lifestyle, with a generally neutral register. Common errors involve overuse in formal writing where a more neutral term might be appropriate. As seen in the provided examples from Ludwig, "indulgence" can be used both positively and critically, depending on the context. Related phrases include "leniency" and "self-gratification", offering alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

self-indulgence

Specifically refers to the act of excessively gratifying one's desires.

leniency

Focuses on showing compassion or tolerance by not applying strict rules or punishments.

leniency

Describes the act of being permissive and forgiving, particularly in a disciplinary context.

self-gratification

Emphasizes satisfying one's own desires, often implying a focus on pleasure.

pampering

Suggests treating someone with extreme care and attention, often involving luxury.

gratification

Highlights the act of satisfying a desire or need.

extravagance

Refers to spending money freely or excessively, often on luxuries.

excess

Indicates going beyond what is necessary, reasonable, or acceptable.

favoritism

Implies showing partiality or preferential treatment to someone.

forbearance

Stresses patience and self-control, especially in the face of provocation.

FAQs

How can I use "indulgence" in a sentence?

You can use "indulgence" to refer to something you allow yourself or others to enjoy, especially something considered luxurious or pleasurable. For example, "Chocolate cake is my favorite weekend "treat", a small "indulgence" I look forward to all week."

What are some synonyms for "indulgence"?

Alternatives to "indulgence" include "leniency", "self-gratification", "luxury", and ""treat"", depending on the specific context.

Is "indulgence" a positive or negative term?

The term "indulgence" can be neutral, positive, or negative depending on the context. It is positive when referring to a small pleasure or "reward", but it can be negative when referring to excessive or harmful behavior.

What's the difference between "indulgence" and "self-control"?

"Indulgence" refers to giving in to desires or whims, often involving pleasure or luxury. "Self-control", on the other hand, is the ability to restrain one's impulses and actions, especially when faced with temptation or immediate gratification.