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
Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
These private ventures could benefit directly from crypto-friendly legislation and the executive orders emerging from Washington.
—Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
In addition to UnitedHealth Group, the lawsuit named Chief Executive Andrew Witty and Chief Financial Officer John Rex as co-defendants, alleging they were directly involved in the dissemination of misleading information to investors during the affected period.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Every item in this collection comes directly from my personal archive.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
But, these physical differences do not directly or solely determine the risk of fragility fractures–bone quality and health does.
—Jia H. Jung, Mercury News, 4 June 2025
These private ventures could benefit directly from crypto-friendly legislation and the executive orders emerging from Washington.
—Becca Bratcher, Forbes.com, 4 June 2025
In addition to UnitedHealth Group, the lawsuit named Chief Executive Andrew Witty and Chief Financial Officer John Rex as co-defendants, alleging they were directly involved in the dissemination of misleading information to investors during the affected period.
—Jasmine Laws, MSNBC Newsweek, 4 June 2025
Every item in this collection comes directly from my personal archive.
—Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 4 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 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share