indirect object
noun
a word or group of words representing the person or thing with reference to which the action of a verb is performed, in English generally coming between the verb and the direct object and paraphrasable as the object of a preposition, usually to or for, following the direct object, as the boy in He gave the boy a book.
Origin of indirect object
First recorded in 1875–80
Words nearby indirect object
British Dictionary definitions for indirect object
indirect object
noun
grammar
a noun, pronoun, or noun phrase indicating the recipient or beneficiary of the action of a verb and its direct object, as John in the sentence I bought John a newspaper
Compare direct object
Cultural definitions for indirect object
indirect object
A noun, pronoun, or group of words naming something indirectly affected by the action of a verb: “She showed me some carpet samples”; “The agent handed the Prentice family their tickets.”
notes for indirect object
Indirect objects can often take or suggest the
preposition
to. For example, “He showed (to)
me the book.”