indirect

adjective in·di·rect \ ˌin-də-ˈrekt , -(ˌ)dī- \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of indirect

: 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

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indirectly

play \ˌin-də-ˈrekt-lē, -(ˌ)dī-\ adverb

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indirectness

play \ˌin-də-ˈrekt-nəs, -(ˌ)dī-\ noun

See indirect defined for English-language learners

See indirect defined for kids

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 of indirect from the Web

The counterclaim also said that prior to The Post story, Corfman never had any direct or indirect contact as a child or an adult with Moore.

— paul gattis, AL.com, "Roy Moore files counterclaim against accuser Leigh Corfman," 10 Apr. 2018
For instance, on economic and social reforms, to have a clearer view about direct and indirect measurable effects.

— nicholas thompson, WIRED, "Emmanuel Macron Talks to WIRED About France's AI Strategy," 31 Mar. 2018
Council added language in the handbook that would prohibit any form of direct or indirect compensation unless authorized by council.

— karen farkas, cleveland.com, "Cuyahoga County Council approves overtime for salaried employees as part of new employee handbook," 27 Mar. 2018
The sprawling exhibition in Amsterdam — which is larger than a previous version that toured Tokyo, Sapporo and Kyoto — includes nearly all of the major van Gogh paintings that make either direct or indirect reference to Japanese art.

— nina siegal, New York Times, "Van Gogh Never Visited Japan, but He Saw It Everywhere," 26 Mar. 2018
The range of direct and indirect occupations involved in this project will require a workforce from across the state.

— keith meyer, Anchorage Daily News, "Alaska gas line project takes a critical step forward," 24 Mar. 2018
Crime proved a powerful way to make sense of direct and indirect experiences of decline —and to reenvision men’s social relevance as protectors.

— jennifer carlson, Vox, "Why so many American men want to be the “good guy with a gun”," 23 Mar. 2018
Luscombe noted that indirect expenses may require you to allocate for tax purposes between what was spent on business and personal use.

— susan tomper, chicagotribune.com, "Drive for Uber? Deliver for Amazon? Here are tax rules to know for gig economy workers," 19 Mar. 2018
Luscombe noted that indirect expenses may require you to allocate for tax purposes between what was spent on business and personal use.

— susan tompor, Detroit Free Press, "Working these freelance jobs? Tax rules to know," 15 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indirect.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of indirect

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

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First Known Use: 14th century

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indirect Synonyms

INDIRECT Defined for Kids

indirect

adjective in·di·rect \ ˌin-də-ˈrekt , -dī- \

Definition of indirect for Students

1 : not straight or direct

an indirect route

2 : not straightforward

an indirect answer

3 : not having a plainly seen connection

an indirect cause

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indirectly

adverb

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indirectness

noun

Medical Dictionary

indirect

adjective in·di·rect \ ˌin-də-ˈrekt, -dī- \

medical Definition of indirect

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

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