: stating what a real or supposed original speaker said with changes in wording that conform the statement grammatically to the sentence in which it is included
indirect discourse
an indirect question
e
: not effected by the action of the people or the electorate
We took an indirect route. These plants grow best in bright indirect light. He gave only vague, indirect answers to our questions. They used indirect methods of investigation. There were many indirect references to his earlier books. Looking at her watch was her indirect way of telling him it was time to leave. Poor nutrition may have been an indirect cause of the disease. The cigarette stubs were indirect evidence that someone had been smoking in the room. “He said that he would call later,” is an example of indirect speech since his actual words were “I'll call later.” an indirect question such as “She asked whether the doctor had arrived” See More
Recent Examples on the WebThe electronics company is aiming for net zero direct and indirect carbon emissions within its consumer electronics division by 2030, and across all global operations two decades later. Stephanie Mlot, PCMAG, 15 Sep. 2022 The report estimates that in both direct and indirect costs, hypertension costs the city of Nashville over $126 million a year. Bill Frist, Forbes, 18 Aug. 2022 Matar’s motive and ties to Iran—direct or indirect—were unclear. Robin Wright, The New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2022 Escoffery’s striking debut novel-in-stories shuttles between Jamaica and America, where a young man receives direct and indirect lessons about his identity.Los Angeles Times, 30 Aug. 2022 It’s the company’s first project in Louisiana, and is expected to add 516 direct and indirect jobs.al, 17 Aug. 2022 The stabbing marked the latest violent attack on people who were targeted around the world with direct and indirect links to the fatwa. Somayeh Malekian, ABC News, 15 Aug. 2022 The Biden administration's last round of indirect negotiations with Iran in Doha, Qatar, late last month ended without success.CBS News, 13 July 2022 The Biden administration’s last round of indirect negotiations with Iran in Doha, Qatar, late last month ended without success. Josh Boak, Jesef Federman, Aamer Madhani, Anchorage Daily News, 13 July 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Medieval Latin indirectus, from Latin in- + directus direct — more at dress