di·rect·ly
də-ˈrek(t)-lē 
dī-,
in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē,
or ˈdrek-lē
1
a
: in a direct manner
directly relevant
the road runs directly east and west
b
: in immediate physical contact
c
: in the manner of direct variation
2
a
: without delay : immediately
the second game followed directly after the first
b
: in a little while : shortly
we'll be leaving directly
di·rect·ly
də-ˈrek(t)-lē
dī-;
ˈdrek-lē
chiefly British
: immediately after : as soon as
directly I received it I rang up the shipping company—
F. W. Crofts
F. W. CroftsExamples of directly in a Sentence
Adverb
He refused to answer the question directly.
She said that she wanted to speak to you directly.
The package will be sent directly to your home.
The two accidents are directly related.
Thousands of people were directly affected by the disaster.
Antonyms are words that are directly opposite in meaning.
We parked directly behind the store.
He sat directly across from me at the dinner table.
Conjunction
I came directly I received your message.
Recent Examples on the Web
Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
Established in 1709, Beaufort—not to be confused with the South Carolina destination—is one of the oldest towns in the state, and much of its charm and appeal are directly tied to its long-standing legacy.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Justices halt nationwide blocks on Trump policies from lower courts
Rather than deal directly with birthright citizenship, the high court instead ordered lower courts to review nationwide blocks on Trump policies.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
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Adverb
Despite the first season’s open ending—in which protagonist Seong Gi-hun is about to board a plane but instead turns around and looks directly at the camera—Hwang says that it wasn’t done with a second season in mind.
—Regina Kim, Forbes.com, 28 June 2025
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 28 June 2025
Established in 1709, Beaufort—not to be confused with the South Carolina destination—is one of the oldest towns in the state, and much of its charm and appeal are directly tied to its long-standing legacy.
—Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2025
Justices halt nationwide blocks on Trump policies from lower courts
Rather than deal directly with birthright citizenship, the high court instead ordered lower courts to review nationwide blocks on Trump policies.
—Maureen Groppe, USA Today, 28 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 3 Jul. 2025.
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