direct

1 of 3

verb

di·​rect də-ˈrekt 

dī-

directed; directing; directs

transitive verb

1

: to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course

X-rays directed through the body

2

: to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course

direct the nozzle downward

3

a

: to regulate the activities or course of

directs a staff of over 200 employees

b

: to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of

direct a project

directed a call center

c

: to train and lead performances of

direct a movie

directing a famous actor

d

: to dominate and determine the course of

… will not find it preposterous that the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past.

—T. S. Eliot

4

a

: to impart orally

directed the remark to her fellow senators

b

: to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient

c

: to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability

arguments directed at the emotions

d

obsolete : to write (a letter) to a person

5

: to show or point out the way for

signs directing us to the entrance

6

: to request or enjoin (see enjoin sense 1) with authority

the judge directed the jury to acquit

intransitive verb

1

: to act as director of a show or musical ensemble

She both acted and directed in the film.

2

: to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure

direct

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption : straight

a direct line

b

: proceeding by the shortest way

the direct route

2

a

: stemming immediately from a source

direct result

b

: being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring : lineal

direct ancestor

c

: having no compromising or impairing element

a direct insult

3

: natural, straightforward

a direct manner

asked him to be more direct

was direct in her criticism

4

a

: marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence

making direct observations of nature

b

: effected or brought about by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives

direct democracy

c

: consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer

a direct quotation

5

: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship

direct evidence

6

astronomy : having or being motion in the general planetary direction from west to east : not retrograde (see retrograde entry 1 sense 1a(1))

7

: capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant

direct

3 of 3

adverb

: in a direct (see direct entry 2) way: such as

a

: from point to point without deviation : by the shortest way

flew direct to Miami

b

: from the source without interruption or diversion (see diversion sense 1)

the writer must take his material direct from life

—Douglas Stewart

c

: without an intervening agency (see agency sense 3) or step

buy direct from the manufacturer

Synonyms

Verb

• canalize
• channel
• channelize
• conduct
• funnel
• pipe
• siphon
• syphon

Adjective

• firsthand
• immediate
• primary
• unmediated

Adverb

• dead
• directly
• due
• plumb
• plump
• right
• straight
• straightway

Choose the Right Synonym for direct

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders.

command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality.

command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about

bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls

the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate.

conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

Examples of direct in a Sentence

Verb

Be sure that the water nozzle is directed downward.

The sloping ground helps direct water away from the home.

Let me direct your attention to the book's second chapter.

We were asked to direct our thoughts and prayers to the people who survived the disaster.

The students directed their efforts toward improving their community.

A lot of the criticism has been directed toward the concert's organizers.

He is responsible for directing the activities of the sales team.

In my current position, I direct a staff of over 200 employees.

We need someone to direct traffic.

Adjective

I found a more direct route to the city.

That way is more direct.

Keep these plants out of direct sunlight.

The coastline was exposed to the direct force of the hurricane.

The weather had a direct effect on our plans.

There's a direct connection between the two events.

The investigation began in direct response to the newspaper story.

Adverb

It costs less if you buy it direct from the manufacturer.

flew direct to the coast

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Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Rehearsals for the play, written by Kate Trefry and directed by Stephen Daldry with co-director Justin Martin, are underway. —Rick Porter, The Hollywood Reporter, 20 Sep. 2023

The series is produced by Goldie Behl’s Rose Audio Visuals and directed by Rohan Sippy. —Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 20 Sep. 2023

Years after that movie's release, Reitman, whose late father Ivan directed the original two 1980s Ghostbusters films, released Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021), which ignored what Feig's film established in the franchise. —Charna Flam, Peoplemag, 20 Sep. 2023

Barrasso pointed to the December 2018 shutdown as a precedent, when then-acting Interior Secretary David Bernhardt directed the agency to tap into the fees to keep national parks running. —Nancy Vu, Washington Examiner, 20 Sep. 2023

It was written and directed by Brock Heasley for producer Ken Carpenter’s Nook Lane Entertainment, which is based in Franklin, Tennessee. —Rebecca Angel Baer, Southern Living, 20 Sep. 2023

It was filmed at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre in December 1983, and was directed by future Academy Award winner Jonathan Demme, who died in 2017. —Rob Tannenbaum, Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2023

The suit claims Google Maps directed Paxson to cross Snow Creek Bridge, which had collapsed in 2013. —Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 20 Sep. 2023

Although billed as a developmental production, this fully staged musical is already well worth seeing at Theo Ubique Cabaret Theatre, where Grace Dolezal-Ng directs a charming, all-Asian American cast. —Emily McClanathan, Chicago Tribune, 19 Sep. 2023

Adjective

Now, however, the fleet of surveillance ships and maze of undersea sensor cables are being modernized, three people with direct knowledge of the effort told Reuters. —Anders Hagstrom, Fox News, 21 Sep. 2023

According to the International Energy Agency, there are now 27 direct air capture plants and at least 130 more in development worldwide. —Lauren Oster, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Sep. 2023

Its technology has allegedly been used to detain migrants in the US and direct drone strikes in Afghanistan. —WIRED, 21 Sep. 2023

Foreign direct investment plunged 87 percent from April through June, compared with the same months last year, according to Nomura, a Japanese bank. —Alexandra Stevenson, New York Times, 19 Sep. 2023

Trump, for his part, draws more direct support as motivation. —Anthony Salvanto, CBS News, 17 Sep. 2023

She was asked a very direct question about Kamala Harris as Joe Biden’s running mate. —ABC News, 17 Sep. 2023

The Justice Department is also drawing direct parallels to the Microsoft antitrust case but in a complicated way. —Adi Robertson, The Verge, 15 Sep. 2023

As the direct messages could include communication between Trump and his Cabinet, they could be protected. —Jenny Goldsberry, Washington Examiner, 15 Sep. 2023

Adverb

Air New Zealand also flies direct from Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, and Honolulu. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 6 Aug. 2023

The independent film — released direct to DVD in 2013 — featured a cat that could talk to people … but only once to each person. —Scott D. Pierce, The Salt Lake Tribune, 17 Sep. 2023

Your 6th House of Daily Work is coming into focus, thanks to Venus turning direct after retrograding through this part of your chart for the last six weeks. —Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2023

The planet of communication, travel, and technology is stationing direct on the 15th and thus freeing you. —Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Sep. 2023

The route will mark the first time Delta has flown direct from Miami to the capital of Nassau, the tourism board noted. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 31 Aug. 2023

Delta also announced that passengers will soon be able to fly direct between Austin and Orlando. —Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 12 July 2023

United Airlines will become the first United States carrier to fly direct to Manila in the Philippines from the continental U.S. when the carrier launches flights there in October. —Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 18 July 2023

Good strategies to avoid travel meltdowns include: booking the first flight of the day; traveling on a Tuesday or Wednesday; and flying direct. —Sarah Rappaport, Fortune, 10 July 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Verb and Adverb

Middle English, from Anglo-French directer, from Latin directus straight, from past participle of dirigere to direct — more at dress

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin directus — see direct entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4d

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing direct

• direct product
• direct lighting
• direct current
• direct mail
• direct action
• direct debit
• direct tax
• direct variation
• direct sum
• self-direct
• direct object
• direct-response
• direct primary
• direct broadcast satellite
• direct marketing
• co-direct
• direct deposit
• direct examination

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• direct product
• direct lighting
• direct current
• direct mail
• direct action
• direct debit
• direct tax
• direct variation
• direct sum
• self-direct
• direct object
• direct-response
• direct primary
• direct broadcast satellite
• direct marketing
• co-direct
• direct deposit
• direct examination

See More

Kids Definition

direct

1 of 2 verb

di·​rect də-ˈrekt 

dī-

1

: to mark with a name and address

direct a letter

2

: to cause to turn, move, or point or to follow a straight course

3

: to point in a specified line, course, or direction

4

: to show or point out the way for

the signs directed us to the museum

5

: to guide the activities or course of

direct the project

direct a play

6

: to request or instruct with authority

the court directed the jury to acquit them

direct

2 of 2 adjective

1

: proceeding from one point to another in time or space without turning or stopping : straight

2

a

: coming immediately from a source, cause, or reason

direct result

b

: done or working without something else coming in between

direct action

direct printing

c

: being in an unbroken family line : lineal

direct ancestor

3

: natural entry 1 sense 8, straightforward

a direct manner

4

: consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer

a direct quotation

direct adverb

directness

-ˈrek(t)-nəs

noun

Legal Definition

direct

1 of 3 transitive verb

di·​rect

1

: to order with authority

the testator directed that the car go to his niece

2

: to order entry of (a verdict) without jury consideration

the court directed a verdict in favor of the defendant

3

: to act as director of

intransitive verb

: to act as director

direct

2 of 3 adjective

1

a

: stemming immediately from a source

direct costs

a direct claim

compare derivative

b

: being or passing in a straight line from parent to offspring : lineal

a direct ancestor

compare collateral

2

: marked by absence of any intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence

direct consequences

3

: effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives

direct democracy

4

: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship

a direct interest in the outcome of the litigation

directly adverb

direct

3 of 3 noun

: direct examination

testimony given on direct