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⇱ indirect - WordReference.com Dictionary of English


indirect

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˌɪndaɪˈrɛkt/, /ˌɪndəˈrɛkt/

US:USA pronunciation: IPAUSA pronunciation: IPA/ˌɪndəˈrɛkt, -daɪ-/

US:USA pronunciation: respellingUSA pronunciation: respelling(in′də rekt, -dī-)



WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•di•rect /ˌɪndəˈrɛkt, -daɪ-/USA pronunciation   adj. 
  1. not following a straight line:an indirect route.
  2. not intended;
    incidental:an indirect outcome.
  3. not direct in action or procedure;
    roundabout:The politician's indirect answers were frustrating.
  4. not direct in bearing, force, etc.:indirect evidence.
in•di•rect•ly, adv. 
in•di•rect•ness, n. [uncountable]See -rect-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
in•di•rect  (in′də rekt, -dī-),USA pronunciation adj. 
  1. not in a direct course or path;
    deviating from a straight line;
    roundabout:an indirect course in sailing.
  2. coming or resulting otherwise than directly or immediately, as effects or consequences:an indirect advantage.
  3. not direct in action or procedure:His methods are indirect but not dishonest.
  4. not straightforward;
    devious;
    deceitful:He is known as a shady, indirect fellow.
  5. not direct in bearing, application, force, etc.:indirect evidence.
  6. Grammarof, pertaining to, or characteristic of indirect discourse:an indirect quote.
  7. not descending in a direct line of succession, as a title or inheritance.
  • Medieval Latin indīrēctus. See in-3, direct
  • Middle English 1350–1400
in′di•rectly, adv. 
in′di•rectness, n. 
    2. incidental, unintentional, secondary.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::
indirect /ˌɪndɪˈrɛkt/ adj
  1. deviating from a direct course or line; roundabout; circuitous
  2. not coming as a direct effect or consequence; secondary: indirect benefits
  3. not straightforward, open, or fair; devious or evasive
ˌindiˈrectly adv ˌindiˈrectness n
'indirect' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

🗣️Forum discussions with the word(s) "indirect" in the title:

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