Cambridge Dictionaries online Cambridge Dictionaries online

The most popular online dictionary and thesaurus for learners of English

  

indirect speech

noun [U]
 
 
(UK also reported speech, US also indirect discourse) specialized

Definition

the act of reporting something that was said, but not using exactly the same words → Compare direct speechLinguistic terms and linguistic styleQuoting and making references
(Definition of indirect speech noun from the Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary & Thesaurus © Cambridge University Press)

Word of the Day

come rain or shine

whatever happens

Word of the Day

Blog

Read our blog about how the English language behaves.

Learn More

New Words

Find words and meanings that have just started to be used in English, and let us know what you think of them.

Learn More