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
Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 16 June 2025
Despite the name of the new cellular company and its association with the President’s family, the Trump Organization will not be directly involved in making Trump Mobile’s products or providing the phone service to customers.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 16 June 2025
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2025
Asked about some specific examples, like adding a B vitamin, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the FDA, referred NPR back to the guidance document but didn't answer the question directly.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 16 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Adverb
In This Article Agents Negotiations Inspection Quality Critical Information
Key Takeaways
Buyers should personally review their inspection report and speak directly with the inspector instead of relying only on their real estate agent’s summary.
—Quincy Bulin, Southern Living, 16 June 2025
Despite the name of the new cellular company and its association with the President’s family, the Trump Organization will not be directly involved in making Trump Mobile’s products or providing the phone service to customers.
—Solcyré Burga, Time, 16 June 2025
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Tracy Neal, Arkansas Online, 16 June 2025
Asked about some specific examples, like adding a B vitamin, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, which includes the FDA, referred NPR back to the guidance document but didn't answer the question directly.
—Sydney Lupkin, NPR, 16 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 30 Jun. 2025.
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