What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
indulgence
Example
She allowed herself the indulgence of a piece of chocolate cake. [indulgence: noun]
Example
He indulged in a long bubble bath after a stressful day at work. [indulged: verb]
treat
Example
I bought myself a treat from the bakery as a reward for finishing my project. [treat: noun]
Example
Let's treat ourselves to a nice dinner to celebrate our anniversary. [treat: verb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Treat is more commonly used than indulgence in everyday language. Treat is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while indulgence is less common and can have a negative connotation.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between indulgence and treat?
While indulgence is typically associated with a more informal tone, treat is more versatile and can be employed in various formality levels, allowing it to be used in both formal and informal contexts.