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
Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Sign up here to receive the Golf Briefing directly in your inbox.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Worse, the Administration’s account directly contradicts a Supreme Court decision.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Located near the lakefront and within walking distance of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, the opening places a major national moment directly inside the communities that have long carried Black Chicago’s cultural and political history.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
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Adverb
Scott said Williamson never spoke directly with Becerra about the scheme.
—Los Angeles Times, 15 May 2026
Sign up here to receive the Golf Briefing directly in your inbox.
—Alex Kirshner, New York Times, 15 May 2026
Worse, the Administration’s account directly contradicts a Supreme Court decision.
—Ruth Marcus, New Yorker, 14 May 2026
Located near the lakefront and within walking distance of the DuSable Black History Museum and Education Center, the opening places a major national moment directly inside the communities that have long carried Black Chicago’s cultural and political history.
—Shelby Stewart, Essence, 14 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 17 May. 2026.
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