direct

direct

adjective

Definition of DIRECT

1

done or working without something else coming in between <a zoologist whose works are based entirely on her direct observation of animals in the wild> <the virus was the direct cause of the disease>

Synonyms firsthand, immediate, primary, unmediated

Related Words clinical, empirical (also empiric); efficient, proximate; hands-on

Antonyms indirect, secondhand

2

free in expressing one's true feelings and opinions <our coach is very direct, never hesitating for a moment to tell a player whenever he isn't performing up to snuff>

Synonyms candid, direct, forthcoming, forthright, foursquare, freehearted, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, out-front, outspoken, plain, plainspoken, straight, straightforward, unguarded, unreserved, up-front

Related Words artless, earnest, guileless, ingenuous, innocent, naive (or naïve), natural, real, sincere, unaffected, undesigning, unpretending, unpretentious; outgoing, uninhibited, unrestrained; vocal, vociferous; abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), crusty, curt, gruff, sharp; impertinent, impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, thoughtless, uncivil, undiplomatic, ungracious, unmannerly, unsubtle

Near Antonyms inhibited, reserved, restrained; close-mouthed, laconic, quiet, reticent, taciturn, tight-lipped, uncommunicative; ambiguous, circuitous, equivocal, evasive; diplomatic, politic, tactful; civil, considerate, courteous, polite

Antonyms dissembling, uncandid, unforthcoming

3

going straight to the point clearly and firmly <clear and direct instructions that left no room for misinterpretation>

Synonyms direct, forthright, foursquare, plain, straight

Related Words aboveboard, candid, frank, free-spoken, honest, open, openhearted, outspoken, plainspoken, unguarded, unreserved; artless, earnest, sincere; uninhibited, unrestrained; abrupt, bluff, blunt, brusque (also brusk), curt, gruff, point-blank, sharp; impolite, inconsiderate, rude, tactless, undiplomatic; true, truthful, veracious

Near Antonyms circumlocutory, long-winded, prolix, verbose, wordy; inhibited, reserved, restrained; civil, courteous, polite, tactful; deceitful, lying, mendacious, untruthful; erroneous, fallacious, false; ambiguous, equivocal, evasive, misleading; double-dealing, hypocritical, two-faced

Antonyms circuitous, indirect, roundabout

4

free from irregularities or digressions in course <this road provides the most direct route to your destination>

Synonyms direct, linear, right, straightaway, straightforward

Related Words unbent, uncurled, untwisted; undeviating, unswerving

Near Antonyms bowed, rounded; entwined, kinked, swirled, turned, turning, twined, twining, twisted, twisting, veering, warped; bending, coiled, coiling, corkscrew, curled, curling, curved, curving, looped, looping, spiral, spiraling (or spiralling), wavy, winding; meandering, weaving; devious, serpentine, sinuous; crooked, zigzag, zigzagging