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

Jim Crow-era copies of the Green Book – a directory of businesses that would accommodate Black road trippers – show just how few options there were. — Daniel Milowski, The Conversation, 29 June 2026

Riemer was a Palm Beach County School District official and was listed in a School District staff directory at the time of his arrest last year as a Secondary Education curriculum development and school improvement instruction specialist. — Angie Dimichele, Sun Sentinel, 26 June 2026

There are no staff currently listed on the Hartford immigration court directory. — Sasha Allen, Hartford Courant, 25 June 2026

Creators can easily distribute their show to major directories like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, and Pocket Casts On Substack, a new generation of audio and video shows are thriving. — Frank Racioppi, Forbes.com, 25 June 2026

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