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

In some studies, more than half of directory entries contain outdated or incorrect information. —Tammy Hawes, Forbes.com, 15 May 2026

On one screen plays business directories from Lebanon, Palestine, and Syria from 1938, a decade before the establishment of Israel; on another, Mograbi scrolls through the Yellow Pages for Gaza in 2023. —Harrison Jacobs, ARTnews.com, 12 May 2026

Internationally, a worldwide list of directories is provided by UN Women, with national agencies on The Pixel Project. —Ivana Kottasová, CNN Money, 12 May 2026

The young man studied business administration during the 2024-25 academic year, the outlet reported, citing university directory records. —Abigail Adams, PEOPLE, 11 May 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