directly

1 of 2

adverb

di·rect·ly də-ˈrek(t)-lē

dī-,

in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē,

or ˈdrek-lē

Synonyms of directly next

: in a direct manner

directly relevant

the road runs directly east and west

: in immediate physical contact

: in the manner of direct variation

: without delay : immediately

the second game followed directly after the first

: 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

Example Sentences

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. See More

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

The flu outbreak is directly responsible for the domestic short supply of eggs in the U.S. and the high prices. —

Tristan Bove, Fortune, 25 Jan. 2023 The economy class cabin is directly behind business class, with 144 seats in rows of three seats on each side of the aisle. —

Kayla Brock, Condé Nast Traveler, 25 Jan. 2023 The safest way to get tickets is directly through Churchill Downs at the box office or online at KentuckyDerby.com. —

Rae Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 25 Jan. 2023 The people who comment and message me directly are incredibly friendly. —

Susannah Breslin, Forbes, 24 Jan. 2023 Firearms are provided for their use under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm. —

Adam B. Vary, Variety, 19 Jan. 2023 Firearms are provided for their use under the guidance of multiple expert professionals directly responsible for the safe and accurate operation of that firearm. —

Nardine Saadstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2023 The two men most directly responsible for the security failings in Brasília on January 8—the governor and security secretary of the Federal District—are being scrupulously afforded every due process protection. —

Andre Pagliarini, The New Republic, 18 Jan. 2023 While Musk's chances of winning outright may be low, the plaintiff still has to prove his false statements directly caused investors' losses in order to obtain a significant payout. —

Jon Brodkin, Ars Technica, 13 Jan. 2023 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'directly.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.