indirect
Americanadjective
-
not in a direct course or path; deviating from a straight line; roundabout.
an indirect course in sailing.
-
coming or resulting otherwise than directly or immediately, as effects or consequences.
an indirect advantage.
- Synonyms:
- secondary, unintentional, incidental
-
not direct in action or procedure.
His methods are indirect but not dishonest.
-
not straightforward; devious; deceitful.
He is known as a shady, indirect fellow.
-
not direct in bearing, application, force, etc..
indirect evidence.
-
Grammar. of, relating to, or characteristic of indirect discourse.
an indirect quote.
-
not descending in a direct line of succession, as a title or inheritance.
adjective
-
deviating from a direct course or line; roundabout; circuitous
-
not coming as a direct effect or consequence; secondary
indirect benefits
-
not straightforward, open, or fair; devious or evasive
an indirect insult
-
(of a title or an inheritance) not inherited in an unbroken line of succession from father to son
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indirect
First recorded in 1350–1400; a Middle English word from the Medieval Latin word indīrēctus; see in- 3, direct
Explanation
Something indirect is not hitting the target exactly. Indirect sunlight doesn't shine right on you — it reflects off a window or is muted by a shade. If direct makes you think of a straight line, then indirect looks like a crooked one — there are turns and stops along the way. People who are sneaky might get what they want through indirect means, like going behind people's backs. If you go to school using side streets and back roads, that's an indirect path. Anything indirect is not taking the quickest or shortest route, but sometimes being indirect gets the job done.
Vocabulary lists containing indirect
Jim Burke's Academic Vocabulary List
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Geography and World Regions
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Workshop 2, Part 2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Because of this, studies of interactions between people and wildlife often rely on indirect measures such as urban development, agriculture or, during the COVID-19 pandemic, whether an area was subject to lockdown restrictions.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 28, 2026
For Louisiana, the investment will support 3,000 direct new jobs over the next decade, along with 8,100 indirect new jobs, according to the Louisiana Economic Development agency.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 25, 2026
The second half of “The Song of Stork and Dromedary” is composed of novella-length works that move into the 20th and 21st centuries and whose connection to the Draydens are indirect and thematic.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
Hannah East, a sports psychologist in training who works with athletes to help improve their performance, agrees these things can help, buts says it's more of an "indirect link".
From BBC ● Aug. 14, 2026
While the broader concerns about attention span are widespread among scholars, the evidence can be indirect, some of it anecdotal.
From "A Deadly Wandering: A Mystery, a Landmark Investigation, and the Astonishing Science of Attention in the Digital Age" by Matt Richtel
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
