Word
indirectly
Phoneticsin·di·rect·ly, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌɪndɝˈɛktˌɫi/
UK/ɪndaɪɹˈɛktli/
Adverb of manner
Definition
adv. in a way that is not straight or direct. You use this when something happens as a result of something else, rather than being the main cause.
adv. in a circuitous or roundabout manner; not as a direct result or through a straight line of communication.
Examples
“The news reached me indirectly through a friend.”
“The tax increase will indirectly affect the price of groceries because transport costs will rise for the suppliers.”
“By focusing on employee well-being, the CEO indirectly improved the company's profit margins through higher retention rates and increased daily productivity.”
Examples
simple
“The news reached me indirectly through a friend.”
contextual
“The tax increase will indirectly affect the price of groceries because transport costs will rise for the suppliers.”
complex
“By focusing on employee well-being, the CEO indirectly improved the company's profit margins through higher retention rates and increased daily productivity.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “indirectly” in context.
Verb
01. indirectly affect
“The new tax laws will indirectly affect the cost of living for many families.”
adv + verb
02. indirectly relate
“The two issues are indirectly related, though they seem different at first glance.”
adv + verb
Usage
Typically placed after the verb or at the end of the clause; can also modify adjectives.
Real-World Examples
“The dairy and alcohol industries would also be hit hard, directly and indirectly affecting hundreds of thousands of jobs in those sectors.” “A new study suggests that sustainability improves corporate financial performance indirectly by increasing sales.” Etymology
From Middle English inderectely, indirectly, equivalent to indirect + -ly or in- + directly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/indirectly