direct
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
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