Indirect | Mean of indirect in English Dictionary

/ˌɪndəˈrɛkt/

• not direct: such as
• not going straight from one point to another
1. We took an indirect route.
2. These plants grow best in bright indirect light/sun.
• not said or done in a clear and direct way
1. He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions.
2. They used indirect methods of investigation.
3. There were many indirect references to his earlier books.
4. Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave.

• not having a clear and direct connection
1. Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease.
2. The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room.
• stating what an original speaker said without exactly quoting the words
1. “He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech/discourse since his actual words were “I'll call later.”
2. an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived”
3. an indirect quotation