indulgent

Everyday

1. Letting someone have or do what they want, even when it might not be good for them; too kind and not strict: indulgent parents. tree →
2. Treating yourself to something pleasant: an indulgent chocolate cake. tree →

In the lessons

Used in stories and family life about grown-ups who spoil children or friends who forgive too easily. In The Wind in the Willows the Rat is often indulgent to Toad and Mole, and Badger is less so. Related: self-indulgent (doing too much of what you like).

Examples

• Her indulgent grandparents let her stay up late. tree →
• The Rat smiled in an indulgent way at Mole's excitement. tree →
• An indulgent teacher might let the class skip homework. tree →
• We had an indulgent breakfast of pancakes and cream. tree →
• Toad's friends had been too indulgent with him. tree →
• The king was indulgent to his spoiled son. tree →

Note

Verb: indulge (indulge a child, indulge in sweets). Noun: indulgence. In church history «indulgences» were pardons sold by some in the Middle Ages, which Martin Luther protested against.