indirect

Word family

in·di·rect /ˌɪndəˈrekt◂/ adjectiveadj

1 CAUSEnot directly caused by something 间接引起的 OPP direct

Losing weight is an indirect result of smoking cigarettes.

吸烟间接导致体重减轻。

The indirect effects of climate change may be profound.

气候变化造成的间接影响可能是深远的。

2 WAY/ROUTEan indirect way to a place is not the straightest way 〔路线〕迂回的，绕道的 OPP direct

They took an indirect route, avoiding the town centre.

他们绕路走，避开了市中心。

3 CLEAR/EASY TO UNDERSTANDnot saying or showing something in a clear definite way 〔说话〕间接的，不直截了当的 OPP direct

George’s comments were an indirect way of blaming me.

乔治的评论转弯抹角地指责了我。

—indirectly adverbadv

Perhaps I was indirectly responsible for the misunderstanding.

也许我应为这个误解承担间接责任。

Examples from the Corpus

indirect• Avoid negative words that leave writing vague and indirect.• Measures are developed for indirect areas.• Her language is not indirect at all.• Since he left his wife Rick has only had indirect contact with his children.• Includes both open-market and private transactions involving direct and indirect holdings.• indirect lighting• This result is the first, albeit indirect, observation of gravitational radiation.• An equivalent definition of indirect race discrimination occurs in the Race Relations Act 1976.• The cab driver obviously took the indirect route to the hotel.• Artificial light suits it very well, but in indirect sunlight it sometimes becomes pale.• Sales taxes are another form of indirect taxation popular in the South.• George's comments were an indirect way of blaming me for the situation.

indirect result• The increase in greenhouse gases is the direct result of pollution, and the indirect result of a reduction in the atmosphere's ability to absorb them.• It was believed that the accident happened as an indirect result of heavy rain and snow storms in the city.• The job losses were an indirect result of lower cost imports.• Some young people have died as a direct or indirect result of sniffing glue or other solvents.• Their plight is an indirect result of the closure programme.

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus

indirect

Not direct: indirect, roundabout, tortuous...