directly

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

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Examples: directly in a Sentence

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

Leaving the danger to fester might allow the threat to grow until Western forces are compelled to intervene directly and massively.

— The Economist, "The fight against Islamic State is moving to Africa," 14 July 2018
Roughly 300,000 acre-feet of water had to be released directly into the San Joaquin River instead of going to farmers downstream of the low spot near Terra Bella.

— dale kasler and phillip reese, sacbee, "The Valley floor is sinking, and it’s crippling California’s ability to deliver water," 13 July 2018
The other is that those innovative companies must be led by people intimately familiar with what is happening on the frontlines of care: doctors, nurses, and others who directly care for patients.

— alexi nazem, STAT, "Health care needs more physician CEOs like Atul Gawande," 13 July 2018
The movie cuts directly from Paris to a thatched hut in Tahiti where Gauguin is furiously painting, oblivious to the torrential downpour outside.

— peter rainer, The Christian Science Monitor, "'Gauguin: Voyage to Tahiti' chronicles Gauguin’s desire to see a new way," 13 July 2018
By putting aside more for pension investments, the state can avoid the even worse expense of eventually having to pay pension checks directly from the budget.

— joseph n. distefano, Philly.com, "Pension billions: Can N.J. cops pick better investments than Wall Street pros?," 13 July 2018
Officials moved the large media contingent from the rescue site to clear the way for those working directly on the extraction.

— washington post, BostonGlobe.com, "Four boys removed from Thailand cave as divers race to beat the rains," 9 July 2018
With a runner on third, two outs and a 2-2 count against Nationals' Adam Eaton, the former Astros pitcher deliver an 83 mph curveball that was struck directly back at him.

— matt wyatt, Houston Chronicle, "Phillies' Vince Velasquez injured by comebacker, makes great play anyway," 30 June 2018
Her organization works directly with children in detention.

— nina agrawal, latimes.com, "Inside the California facilities holding children separated from their parents at the border," 23 June 2018

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

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

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directly Synonyms

directly

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

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

DIRECTLY Defined for English Language Learners

directly

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

conjunction

Definition of directly for English Language Learners

: immediately after : as soon as

DIRECTLY Defined for Kids

directly

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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Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for directly Spanish Central: Translation of directly Nglish: Translation of directly for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of directly for Arabic speakers

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directly Synonyms

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directly

Definition of directly

Examples of directly in a Sentence

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DIRECTLY Defined for English Language Learners

directly

Definition of directly for English Language Learners

directly

Definition of directly for English Language Learners

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directly

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