direct

(adjective, verb, adverb)

adjective

1. direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short

- a direct route

- a direct flight

- a direct hit

Similar word(s): nonstop, straightforward, undeviating, unswerving, through, straight

2. having no intervening persons, agents, conditions

- in direct sunlight

- in direct contact with the voters

- direct exposure to the disease

Similar word(s): immediate, unmediated

3. straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action

- a direct question

- a direct response

- a direct approach

Similar word(s): bluff, blunt, candid, forthright, frank, outspoken, plainspoken, brutal, flatfooted, plain, unvarnished, pointed, square, straight, straightforward, upfront, honest, honorable

4. in a straight unbroken line of descent from parent to child

- a direct descendant of the king

- direct heredity

Similar word(s): matrilineal, matrilinear, patrilineal, patrilinear, unilateral, related, lineal

5. moving from west to east on the celestial sphere; or--for planets--around the sun in the same direction as the Earth

6. similar in nature or effect or relation to another quantity

- a term is in direct proportion to another term if it increases (or decreases) as the other increases (or decreases)

7. (of a current) flowing in one direction only

- direct current

8. being an immediate result or consequence

- a direct result of the accident

Similar word(s): primary

9. in precisely the same words used by a writer or speaker

- a direct quotation

Similar word(s): exact, verbatim

10. lacking compromising or mitigating elements; exact

- the direct opposite

Similar word(s): absolute

Sentences with direct as an adjective:

- the most direct route between two buildings

- a descendant in the direct line

- direct nomination; direct legislation

adverb

1. without deviation

- the path leads directly to the lake

- went direct to the office

Similar word(s): directly, straight

verb

1. command with authority

- He directed the children to do their homework

Definition categories: communication, enjoin, order, say, tell

2. intend (something) to move towards a certain goal

- criticism directed at her superior

- direct your anger towards others, not towards yourself

Similar word(s): aim, place, point, target

Definition categories: competition, aim, direct, take, train

3. guide the actors in (plays and films)

Definition categories: creation, create, make

4. be in charge of

Definition categories: social, care, deal, handle, manage

5. take somebody somewhere

Similar word(s): conduct, guide, lead, take

Definition categories: motion

6. cause to go somewhere

- He directed all his energies into his dissertation

Similar word(s): send

Definition categories: motion, displace, move

7. point or cause to go (blows, weapons, or objects such as photographic equipment) towards

Similar word(s): aim, take, train

Definition categories: competition, position

8. lead, as in the performance of a composition

Similar word(s): conduct, lead

Definition categories: creation, do, execute, perform

9. give directions to; point somebody into a certain direction

- I directed them towards the town hall

Definition categories: communication, apprise, apprize, instruct

10. specifically design a product, event, or activity for a certain public

Similar word(s): aim, calculate

Definition categories: cognition, designate, destine, intend, specify

11. direct the course; determine the direction of travelling

Similar word(s): channelise, channelize, guide, head, maneuver, manoeuver, manoeuvre, point, steer

Definition categories: motion, command, control

12. put an address on (an envelope)

Similar word(s): address

Definition categories: communication, label

13. plan and direct (a complex undertaking)

Similar word(s): engineer, mastermind, orchestrate, organise, organize

Definition categories: cognition, plan

Sentences with direct as a verb:

- to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army

- They directed their fire towards the men on the wall.

- He directed his question to the room in general.

- He directed me to the left-hand road.

- She directed them to leave immediately.

- to direct a letter