directly

1 of 2

adverb

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

directly

2 of 2

conjunction

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

Synonyms of directly

Adverb

• straight
• right

Examples 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

Adverb

But Nixon’s research found that telehealth companies often mail the medications directly, meaning patients do not need to go to a pharmacy. —Maia Rosenfeld, NBC news, 29 May 2026

Smart toys that can directly respond to children and their environments have proliferated in recent years, offering parents a new way to teach their children important skills. —Noelle Harff, San Diego Union-Tribune, 29 May 2026

Yet signs of progress emerged in January, when Orrick lauded Lee and her decision to install the city’s former inspector general, Michelle Phillips, as an official in the department’s top ranks who reports directly to the mayor. —Jakob Rodgers, Mercury News, 28 May 2026

Anyone who receives an urgent message from a family member or friend asking for money should contact that person directly before sending anything. —Steven Yablonski, CBS News, 28 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Conjunction

1795, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing directly

• directly proportional

Rhymes for directly

• correctly
• circumspectly
• incorrectly
• indirectly

Kids Definition

directly

adverb

di·​rect·​ly

də-ˈrek-(t)lē, 

dī-

in sense 2 also ˈdrek-lē

1

a

: in a direct manner

she spoke directly

b

: most closely located

the person directly to my left

2

: without delay : immediately

go directly home

3

: in the manner of direct variation

the perimeter of a square varies directly with the length of a side