indirect

adjective

in·​di·​rect ˌin-də-ˈrekt 

-(ˌ)dī-

: not direct: such as

a(1)

: deviating from a direct line or course : roundabout

(2)

: not going straight to the point

an indirect accusation

(3)

: being or involving proof of a proposition or theorem by demonstration that its negation leads to an absurdity or contradiction

b

: not straightforward and open : deceitful

c

: not directly aimed at or achieved

indirect consequences

d

: stating what a real or supposed original speaker said with changes in wording that conform the statement grammatically to the sentence in which it is included

indirect discourse

an indirect question

e

: not effected by the action of the people or the electorate

indirect government representation

indirectly

ˌin-də-ˈrekt-lē 

-(ˌ)dī-

adverb

indirectness

ˌin-də-ˈrekt-nəs 

-(ˌ)dī-

noun

Synonyms

• roundabout
• circular

Examples of indirect in a Sentence

We took an indirect route.

These plants grow best in bright indirect light.

He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions.

They used indirect methods of investigation.

There were many indirect references to his earlier books.

Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave.

Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease.

The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room.

“He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech since his actual words were “I'll call later.”

an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived”

Recent Examples on the Web

The purification method the city is using for Phase One — called indirect potable reuse — softened that image somewhat by requiring the purified water to sit in a reservoir for months. —David Garrick, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Oct. 2025

Not only are tariffs at least partially passed through to consumers, but, as the Tax Foundation points out, tariffs hurt in indirect ways as well. —Matt Fleming, Oc Register, 26 Oct. 2025

In Japan, 21 injuries and one indirect fatality occurred during evacuations, while damage in Russia included power outages and water damage in coastal towns. —Hollie Silverman, MSNBC Newsweek, 25 Oct. 2025

Compared with other conflicts, the death toll — both direct and indirect — can be determined with unusual precision. —Lydia Polgreen, Mercury News, 25 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Medieval Latin indirectus, from Latin in- + directus direct — more at dress

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing indirect

• indirect cost
• indirect evidence
• indirect lighting
• indirect object

Rhymes for indirect

• architect
• circumspect
• deselect
• dialect
• disconnect
• disinfect
• disrespect
• incorrect
• intellect
• interject
• intersect
• pluperfect

Kids Definition

indirect

adjective

in·​di·​rect ˌin-də-ˈrekt 

-dī-

1

: not straight or direct

an indirect route

2

: not straightforward

indirect methods

an indirect answer

3

: not having a plainly seen connection

an indirect cause

4

: stating what an original speaker said with changes in wording that make the statement fit grammatically with the rest of the sentence

"that he would call" in "He said that he would call" is in indirect discourse

indirectly adverb

indirectness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs 

noun

Medical Definition

indirect

adjective

in·​di·​rect ˌin-də-ˈrekt, -dī- 

1

: not direct: as

a

: not resulting directly from an action or cause (as a disease)

indirect effects of malaria

b

: involving intermediate or intervening parts or pathways

stimulation of one eye elicits narrowing of the pupil of the other eye by an indirect reaction

indirect attachment of a muscle through tendons

2

: involving or being immunofluorescence in which antibodies of two kinds are used of which the first combine with a specific protein and the second contain a fluorescent label and combine with the antibodies of the first type

indirectly adverb