adj
indirect
ihn-deye-REHKT
adj
1
Not going straight to a point or goal; roundabout.
"We took an indirect route to avoid the traffic."
2
Not caused directly, but as a secondary effect.
"The policy had an indirect effect on small businesses."
3
Not straightforward or open in manner.
"His indirect way of asking for a raise left his boss confused."
How to Use Indirect
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot straight or direct — could mean a roundabout path, a secondary cause, or an evasive way of speaking.
Common pairings
indirect route
indirect cause
indirect approach
indirect speech
Word Forms
more indirect comparative, indirected past tense, indirects plural, indirects singular, most indirect superlative
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “indirect”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
We took an _____ route to avoid the traffic.
Etymology
From Late Latin indirectus, "not straight," from in- ("not") + directus ("direct").