Word family noun direction directness director adjective direct ≠ indirect verb direct redirect adverb directly ≠ indirectly
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary Englishindirectin‧di‧rect /ˌɪndəˈrekt◂/ ●●○ adjective 1 CAUSEnot directly caused by something OPP direct Losing weight is an indirect result of smoking cigarettes. The indirect effects of climate change may be profound.2 WAY/ROUTEan indirect way to a place is not the straightest way OPP direct They took an indirect route, avoiding the town centre.3 CLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTANDnot saying or showing something in a clear definite way OPP direct George’s comments were an indirect way of blaming me. —indirectly adverb Perhaps I was indirectly responsible for the misunderstanding.Examples from the Corpus
indirect• Avoid negative words that leave writing vague and indirect.• Measures are developed for indirect areas.• Her language is not indirect at all.• Since he left his wife Rick has only had indirect contact with his children.• Includes both open-market and private transactions involving direct and indirect holdings.• indirect lighting• This result is the first, albeit indirect, observation of gravitational radiation.• An equivalent definition of indirect race discrimination occurs in the Race Relations Act 1976.• The cab driver obviously took the indirect route to the hotel.• Artificial light suits it very well, but in indirect sunlight it sometimes becomes pale.• Sales taxes are another form of indirect taxation popular in the South.• George's comments were an indirect way of blaming me for the situation.indirect result• The increase in greenhouse gases is the direct result of pollution, and the indirect result of a reduction in the atmosphere's ability to absorb them.• It was believed that the accident happened as an indirect result of heavy rain and snow storms in the city.• The job losses were an indirect result of lower cost imports.• Some young people have died as a direct or indirect result of sniffing glue or other solvents.• Their plight is an indirect result of the closure programme. 