indirectly
ihn-dih-REHK-lee
Indirectly (adverb) means In a roundabout way rather than straight or directly. Example: “The news reached her indirectly, through a mutual friend.”
adverb
1
In a roundabout way rather than straight or directly.
"The news reached her indirectly, through a mutual friend."
"His comments indirectly criticized the new policy without naming it."
"Our fees rise indirectly when the cost of fuel goes up."
How to use indirectly
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishNot in a straight or obvious path — through some other route or means.
Common pairings
affected indirectly
indirectly related
indirectly caused
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more indirectly
- Superlative
- most indirectly
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The news reached her _____, through a mutual friend.
Etymology
From indirect plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for indirectly
See all rhymes for indirectly →Frequently asked questions
What does “indirectly” mean?
The word “indirectly” means in a roundabout way rather than straight or directly. In plain terms, not in a straight or obvious path — through some other route or means.
How do you pronounce “indirectly”?
“Indirectly” is pronounced ihn-dih-REHK-lee (/ˌɪn.dɪˈɹɛk(t).li/ in IPA).
How do you use “indirectly” in a sentence?
Here is “indirectly” used in a sentence: “The news reached her indirectly, through a mutual friend.”
What is the opposite of “indirectly”?
The opposite of “indirectly” — its antonyms — is directly.
What part of speech is “indirectly”?
“Indirectly” is an adverb.
Is “indirectly” a common word?
“Indirectly” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
What is the difference between directly and indirectly?
Directly means in a straight, immediate way, while indirectly means in a roundabout way rather than straight or direct. If news reaches you indirectly, it comes through an intermediate source rather than firsthand.
How is indirectly used with verbs like 'affect' or 'cause'?
Indirectly commonly pairs with verbs such as 'affect,' 'cause,' 'benefit,' or 'contribute,' describing an effect that happens through a chain of events rather than a direct link, as in 'the policy indirectly affected prices.'
Is indirectly a formal or informal word?
Indirectly is a neutral adverb suitable for both formal and everyday writing, often used in legal, journalistic, and conversational contexts to soften or qualify how an effect or connection occurs.
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