Cool MateEnjoy vs Indulge
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Enjoy
Top 1,000 (very common)A1verb
Indulge
Top 2,000 (common)C1verb
Most common: Enjoy
| Enjoy | Indulge | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪz/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪd/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdʒɔɪ/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪz/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪd/","/ɪnˈdʒɔɪɪŋ/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒd/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈdʌldʒ/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪz/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒd/","/ɪnˈdʌldʒɪŋ/"]/ |
| Meaning | to like or take pleasure in something | To allow yourself to enjoy something you like. |
| Example | I really enjoy reading novels in my free time. | They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | C1 |
| Part of speech | verb | verb |
| Collocations | enormously, greatly, hugely, be able to, seem to, begin to, enjoy yourself, just enjoy it/something, enormously, greatly, hugely, be able to, seem to, begin to, enjoy yourself, just enjoy it/something | occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with, occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with, occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with, occasionally, freely, be able to, be free to, can, in, with |
| Antonyms | dislike, hate, detest | restrain, deny, deprive |
| Common mistakes | Using 'enjoy' with gerunds incorrectly; it should be 'enjoy doing' not 'enjoy to do'., Confusing the use of 'enjoy' with 'like' although they have similar meanings, 'enjoy' often implies a deeper appreciation., Omitting the object of 'enjoy' can lead to incomplete sentences. | Confusing 'indulge' with 'indulged' (past tense), Using 'indulge in' without an object, Saying 'indulge to' instead of 'indulge in' |
| Usage notes | Use 'enjoy' when talking about activities or experiences that are pleasurable. It’s appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but is more common in casual conversation. Avoid in overly formal contexts. | Use 'indulge' when talking about enjoying special treats or activities, often with a sense of excess. It fits in neutral contexts; avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Enjoy vs Indulge
What's the difference between Enjoy and Indulge?
Enjoy: to like or take pleasure in something Indulge: To allow yourself to enjoy something you like.
Which is more common: Enjoy and Indulge?
Enjoy is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Enjoy and Indulge?
Indulge is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Enjoy and Indulge the same CEFR level?
Enjoy: A1, Indulge: C1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Enjoy and Indulge?
Enjoy: verb, Indulge: verb.
Can you show an example of each?
Enjoy: I really enjoy reading novels in my free time. Indulge: They went into town to indulge in some serious shopping.
Can I use Enjoy and Indulge interchangeably?
Not always. Enjoy and Indulge are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.