indirect object

noun

: a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase that occurs in addition to a direct object after some verbs and indicates the person or thing that receives what is being given or done : the person or thing that the action of a verb is performed for or directed to

In the sentences "She bought him a present," "He gave all four walls a new coat of paint," and "Ask me a question," "him," "all four walls," and "me" are indirect objects and "a present," "a new coat of paint," and "a question" are direct objects.

Note: Verbs that can take indirect objects are called ditransitive verbs.

Example Sentences

In “He gave me the book,” the direct object is “book” and the indirect object is “me.”

Recent Examples on the Web Four different cases in Old English tell you whether a word is a subject, direct object, indirect object or possessor.

The Economist, 1 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indirect object.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of indirect object was in 1879

See more words from the same year

Dictionary Entries Near indirect object

indirect method of difference

indirect object

indirect process

See More Nearby Entries

Cite this Entry

Style

“Indirect object.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indirect%20object. Accessed 7 Dec. 2022.

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