directory

1 of 2

adjective

di·​rec·​to·​ry də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē 

dī-

: serving to direct

specifically : providing advisory but not compulsory guidance

directory

2 of 2

noun

plural directories

1

a

: a book or collection of directions, rules, or ordinances

b

: an alphabetical or classified list (as of names and addresses)

2

: a body of directors

3

: folder sense 3b

Examples of directory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Find out more about him online in the Register's staff directory. —Phillip Sitter, Des Moines Register, 8 Jan. 2026

Just look through the staff directory and note how many people with lofty titles have survived losing season after losing season. —Dan Duggan, New York Times, 5 Jan. 2026

Sunseri’s hire has not been announced by Tech, but the former Florida assistant is on the institute’s online student, staff and faculty directory. —Chad Bishop, AJC.com, 2 Jan. 2026

By pulling public information from the HHS employee directory, ProPublica was able to provide a deep look at the staggering losses — in total more than 20,500 workers — packaged in striking data visualizations that revealed the cuts in unprecedented detail. —Stat Staff, STAT, 29 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English directorie guide, from Medieval Latin directorium, from neuter of Late Latin directorius directorial, from Latin dirigere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing directory

• directory assistance
• directory enquiries
• ex-directory
• go ex-directory
• phone directory
• sub-directory
• telephone directory

Rhymes for directory

• refectory
• trajectory
• nectary
• rectory
• subdirectory

Kids Definition

directory

noun

di·​rec·​to·​ry

də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē, 

dī-

plural directories

: an alphabetical list containing names and addresses