Indulgent for Dummies

Indulgent is a word we use to describe someone who is very lenient or permissive towards others, allowing them to have or do whatever they want. It's like when a parent spoils their child by giving them lots of treats or not setting any rules, because they want to make their child happy. So, when we say someone is indulgent, it means they are very forgiving and don't impose strict rules or punishments.

Let me give you an example to help you understand it better. Imagine you have a friend who always lets you borrow their toys for as long as you want, even when you accidentally break them. Your friend doesn't get mad or upset at you; instead, they just smile and say it's okay. This friend is being indulgent towards you because they are being very forgiving and not getting upset about any mistakes you make.

Now, there's another definition of "indulgent" that is slightly different but still related. It can also mean that someone is self-indulgent, which means they allow themselves to have or do whatever they want, even if it's not good for them or others. It's kind of like when you have a big bowl of your favorite ice cream in front of you, and you keep eating it even though you know you should stop because it's not healthy. In this case, you are being indulgent towards yourself, allowing yourself to indulge in something pleasurable even if it's not the best choice.

So, to summarize, "indulgent" means being very forgiving and lenient towards others or allowing ourselves to have or do things that may not be the best for us. It's like being overly permissive or spoiling someone, making them happy or satisfying our own desires without considering any consequences.