indirectly
gb/ɪndɚˈɛktli/ us/ɪndɚˈɛktli/
B1
English
~ 3800
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B1
relation
1
Not in a direct way
Not in a clear or straight way, but by using someone or something else.
Usage pattern:
to [do something] indirectly
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'indirectly' with 'accidentally', but 'indirectly' refers to the manner of action, not whether it was intended.
Synonyms
obliquely (More formal and less common, often used in writing.)
|
roundabout (Informal and slightly critical tone when describing speech or action.)
Antonyms
directly (Means in a straight, clear, or immediate way, without intermediaries.)
Collocations
communicate indirectly
|influence indirectly
|affected indirectly
Themes
communication
|behavior
|relationships
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She indirectly suggested that he should leave.
- The new policy will indirectly affect small businesses.
- He was indirectly responsible for the accident.
- We learned about the problem indirectly through a friend.
Learner examples
- She spoke indirectly about the problem.
- The news came to me indirectly.
- He helped me indirectly by giving advice.
- I heard the story indirectly from my sister.
adverb
B2
relation
2
By causing through intermediaries
Causing something to happen by using other people or things first.
Synonyms
secondhand (Often used for information or experience, slightly informal.)
Antonyms
immediately (Means without delay or intermediate steps.)
Collocations
benefit indirectly
|indirectly lead to
|indirectly cause
Themes
cause_effect
|processes
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Examples
- The company indirectly benefits from government subsidies.
- His comments indirectly caused the misunderstanding.
- The decision will indirectly lead to more jobs.
Learner examples
- The new law will indirectly help students.
- My words indirectly made her happy.
- He indirectly started the project by giving ideas.
Grammar
Dictionary form
indirectly
IPA
GB/ɪndɚˈɛktli/
US/ɪndɚˈɛktli/
Syllables & stress
in - dir - ectly (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (dir)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: indirectly
- Plural: indirectlies
Word family
Expressions
indirectly proportional to
1/ɪndɚˈɛktli pɹəpˈɔɹʃənəl tə/
fixed phrase
technical
Inverse proportional relationship
When one amount goes up, the other goes down at the same rate.
Examples
- In physics, pressure is indirectly proportional to volume for a fixed amount of gas.
- The time taken is indirectly proportional to the speed.