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.
To investigate them, scientists rely on indirect techniques that reveal clues beneath the landscape.
From Science Daily • May 19, 2026
“This web of interlinkages may create challenges for banks in effectively managing their direct and indirect risks,” the board said.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 6, 2026
"This is the region's main industry," he said, estimating the plant accounts for roughly five percent of the economic output of the western region of Extremadura and supports about 4,000 direct and indirect jobs.
From Barron's • May 4, 2026
When her clients raise the subject, they tend to be indirect rather than admit they’re struggling.
From MarketWatch • May 1, 2026
So far, I’ve emphasized direct and indirect values of crops and livestock as food.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
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.
