directory

1 of 2

adjective

di·​rec·​to·​ry də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē 

dī-

: serving to direct

specifically : providing advisory but not compulsory guidance

directory

2 of 2

noun

plural directories

1

a

: a book or collection of directions, rules, or ordinances

b

: an alphabetical or classified list (as of names and addresses)

2

: a body of directors

3

: folder sense 3b

Examples of directory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Start with referrals, direct research, and credentialed directories. — Lien De Pau, Forbes.com, 10 Aug. 2026

Many users found pages through Yahoo-style directories, bookmarks, newsgroups, email signatures, and links from site to site because the web was still small enough that human organization could compete with machine indexing. — Alan Bradley, ArsTechnica, 7 Aug. 2026

Inside The Shops at North Bridge, the upgrades will include improved lighting, new signage and wayfinding, new digital directories, new floors and finishes, and better sightlines. — Adam Harrington, CBS News, 6 Aug. 2026

The ban won’t cover online encyclopedias, or educational or scientific directories. — Samuel Petrequin, Los Angeles Times, 23 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English directorie guide, from Medieval Latin directorium, from neuter of Late Latin directorius directorial, from Latin dirigere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing directory

• directory assistance
• directory enquiries
• ex-directory
• go ex-directory
• phone directory
• sub-directory
• telephone directory

Rhymes for directory

• refectory
• trajectory
• nectary
• rectory
• subdirectory

Kids Definition

directory

noun

di·​rec·​to·​ry

də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē, 

dī-

plural directories

: an alphabetical list containing names and addresses