directly

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adverb di·rect·ly \ də-ˈrek(t)-lē , dī- , in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē or ˈdrek-lē \

Definition of directly

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

See directly defined for English-language learners

See directly defined for kids

Examples of directly in a Sentence

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.

Recent Examples of directly from the Web

One area that’s not being discussed directly is France’s 35-hour work week, though devolving negotiations to the company level may result in more working time.

— gregory viscusi, Bloomberg.com, "Macron Faces a Moment of Truth on French Labor Laws," 30 Aug. 2017
Car dealer service departments often have the advantage over independent shops with access to training directly from the manufacturer.

— bill collins ford, The Courier-Journal, "A New Generation’s Automotive Experience," 30 Aug. 2017
For fans interested in contributing directly to the American Red Cross, donations can be online at redcross.org and by phone at 1-800-RED-CROSS.

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Reds, Jay Bruce, Johnny Bench support Hurricane Harvey relief efforts," 30 Aug. 2017
Kirk Driver, the architect of The Leveraging Project, which is designed to bring social services directly to the people who need them most.

— brian gosset, star-telegram, "Western Hills community is more than football to its coaches," 30 Aug. 2017
There are two ways to file complaints about police: directly with the department or with the commission.

— jsonline.com, "Trust damaged between Milwaukee police and community, Department of Justice draft report says," 30 Aug. 2017
As part of the tax's original intent, $2 million was directly allocated to pay down debt in 2016 and $4.09 million went to capital projects.

— erin hegarty, Naperville Sun, "Advisory board recommends doubling sales tax, tossing property tax abatement," 29 Aug. 2017
Some of the worst damage appeared to be in Rockport, a coastal city of about 10,000 that was directly in the storm's path.

— howard koplowitz, AL.com, "Minor earthquake recorded in northeast Alabama; 8th in region this year," 27 Aug. 2017
June gave us so many gifts, some directly, some by example.

— rosanne cash, Country Living, "Rosanne Cash Reflects on What June Carter Was Like as a Stepmother," 25 Aug. 2017

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.

First Known Use of directly

15th century

directly Synonyms

Synonyms

dead, direct, due, plumb, plump, right, straight, straightway, as the crow flies

Antonyms

indirectly

Related Words

baldly, bluffly, candidly, frankly, honestly, openheartedly, openly, unguardedly, unreservedly; artlessly, earnestly, simply, sincerely; abruptly, bluntly, brusquely, curtly, gruffly, point-blank, sharply; impolitely, inconsiderately, rudely, tactlessly; truthfully, veraciously

Near Antonyms

circuitously, deviously, veeringly

directly

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conjunction di·rect·ly \ də-ˈrek(t)-lē , dī- ; ˈdrek-lē \

Definition of directly

chiefly British

:immediately after :as soon as

directly I received it I rang up the shipping company
—F. W. Crofts

See directly defined for English-language learners

Examples of directly in a Sentence

I came directly I received your message.

First Known Use of directly

1795

DIRECTLY Defined for English Language Learners

directly

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adverb

Definition of directly for English Language Learners

: in a direct way
: in a straight or direct line from a particular position
: without delay

directly

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conjunction

Definition of directly for English Language Learners

: immediately after : as soon as

DIRECTLY Defined for Kids

directly

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adverb di·rect·ly \ də-ˈrekt-lē , dī- \

Definition of directly for Students

1 :in a straight course or line

She sits directly across from me.

The road runs directly north.

2 :straight to or from a source :without interference

I spoke directly to the principal.

3 :immediately 2

She began directly to work.

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