having intervening factors or persons or influences; "reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light"; "indirect evidence"; "an indirect cause"
Used in a Sentence
indirect
How to use indirect in a sentence. Example sentences and definitions for indirect.
Editorial note
If you are unhappy, you have little recourse but to express your own power by indirect passive-aggressive means.
Examples5
Definitions5
Parts of speech1
Quick take
having intervening factors or persons or influences; "reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light"; "indirect evidence"; "an indirect cause"
Meaning at a glance
The clearest senses and uses of indirect gathered in one view.
not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination; "sometimes taking an indirect path saves time"; "you must take an indirect course in sailing"
descended from a common ancestor but through different lines; "cousins are collateral relatives"; "an indirect descendant of the Stuarts"
Definitions
Core meanings and parts of speech for indirect.
adjective
having intervening factors or persons or influences; "reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light"; "indirect evidence"; "an indirect cause"
adjective
not direct in spatial dimension; not leading by a straight line or course to a destination; "sometimes taking an indirect path saves time"; "you must take an indirect course in sailing"
adjective
descended from a common ancestor but through different lines; "cousins are collateral relatives"; "an indirect descendant of the Stuarts"
See also: collateral
adjective
extended senses; not direct in manner or language or behavior or action; "making indirect but legitimate inquiries"; "an indirect insult"; "doubtless they had some indirect purpose in mind"; "though his methods are indirect they are not dishonest"; "known as a shady indirect fellow"
adjective
not as a direct effect or consequence; "indirect benefits"; "an indirect advantage"
Example sentences
If you are unhappy, you have little recourse but to express your own power by indirect passive-aggressive means.
I could be wrong, but it really seems to me that this is a very good, but somewhat indirect example of Apple's positive influence in the software world.
Where others are political or indirect or care about appearances or do things without thinking about them, pg and co are the opposite: Direct, thoughtful, and good.
One of the biggest indirect causes of ageism I've seen is the traditional career path forced many engineers out of engineering - there is/was an attitude at places like IBM of: "If you want to make bank, you need to go into management or sales".
Am I really going to improve the world more by resting on my weak points that would help people directly, rather than concentrating on my strengths and helping people indirectly?Computers are enabling massive changes and improvements in the collective lot of humanity.
Frequently asked questions
Short answers drawn from the clearest meanings and examples for this word.
How do you use indirect in a sentence?
If you are unhappy, you have little recourse but to express your own power by indirect passive-aggressive means.
What does indirect mean?
having intervening factors or persons or influences; "reflection from the ceiling provided a soft indirect light"; "indirect evidence"; "an indirect cause"
What part of speech is indirect?
indirect is commonly used as adjective.