direct

1 of 3

verb

di·​rect də-ˈrekt How to pronounce direct (audio)
dī-
directed; directing; directs

transitive verb

1
: to cause to turn, move, or point undeviatingly or to follow a straight course
X-rays directed through the body
2
: to point, extend, or project in a specified line or course
direct the nozzle downward
3
a
: to regulate the activities or course of
directs a staff of over 200 employees
b
: to carry out the organizing, energizing, and supervising of
direct a project
directed a call center
c
: to train and lead performances of
direct a movie
directing a famous actor
d
: to dominate and determine the course of
… will not find it preposterous that the past should be altered by the present as much as the present is directed by the past.T. S. Eliot
4
a
: to impart orally
directed the remark to her fellow senators
b
: to mark with the name and address of the intended recipient
c
: to adapt in expression so as to have particular applicability
arguments directed at the emotions
d
obsolete : to write (a letter) to a person
5
: to show or point out the way for
signs directing us to the entrance
6
: to request or enjoin (see enjoin sense 1) with authority
the judge directed the jury to acquit

intransitive verb

1
: to act as director of a show or musical ensemble
She both acted and directed in the film.
2
: to point out, prescribe, or determine a course or procedure

direct

2 of 3

adjective

1
a
: proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption : straight
a direct line
b
: proceeding by the shortest way
the direct route
2
a
: stemming immediately from a source
direct result
b
: being or passing in a straight line of descent from parent to offspring : lineal
direct ancestor
c
: having no compromising or impairing element
a direct insult
3
: natural, straightforward
a direct manner
asked him to be more direct
was direct in her criticism
4
a
: marked by absence of an intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence
making direct observations of nature
b
: effected or brought about by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives
direct democracy
c
: consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer
a direct quotation
5
: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship
direct evidence
6
astronomy : having or being motion in the general planetary direction from west to east : not retrograde (see retrograde entry 1 sense 1a(1))
7
: capable of dyeing without the aid of a mordant

direct

3 of 3

adverb

: in a direct (see direct entry 2) way: such as
a
: from point to point without deviation : by the shortest way
flew direct to Miami
b
: from the source without interruption or diversion (see diversion sense 1)
the writer must take his material direct from lifeDouglas Stewart
c
: without an intervening agency (see agency sense 3) or step
buy direct from the manufacturer
Choose the Right Synonym for direct

command, order, bid, enjoin, direct, instruct, charge mean to issue orders.

command and order imply authority and usually some degree of formality and impersonality.

command stresses official exercise of authority.

a general commanding troops

order may suggest peremptory or arbitrary exercise.

ordered his employees about

bid suggests giving orders peremptorily (as to children or servants).

she bade him be seated

enjoin implies giving an order or direction authoritatively and urgently and often with admonition or solicitude.

a sign enjoining patrons to be quiet

direct and instruct both connote expectation of obedience and usually concern specific points of procedure or method, instruct sometimes implying greater explicitness or formality.

directed her assistant to hold all calls
the judge instructed the jury to ignore the remark

charge adds to enjoin an implication of imposing as a duty or responsibility.

charged by the President with a secret mission

conduct, manage, control, direct mean to use one's powers to lead, guide, or dominate.

conduct implies taking responsibility for the acts and achievements of a group.

conducted negotiations

manage implies direct handling and manipulating or maneuvering toward a desired result.

manages a meat market

control implies a regulating or restraining in order to keep within bounds or on a course.

controlling his appetite

direct implies constant guiding and regulating so as to achieve smooth operation.

directs the store's day-to-day business

Examples of direct in a Sentence

Verb Be sure that the water nozzle is directed downward. The sloping ground helps direct water away from the home. Let me direct your attention to the book's second chapter. We were asked to direct our thoughts and prayers to the people who survived the disaster. The students directed their efforts toward improving their community. A lot of the criticism has been directed toward the concert's organizers. He is responsible for directing the activities of the sales team. In my current position, I direct a staff of over 200 employees. We need someone to direct traffic. Adjective I found a more direct route to the city. That way is more direct. Keep these plants out of direct sunlight. The coastline was exposed to the direct force of the hurricane. The weather had a direct effect on our plans. There's a direct connection between the two events. The investigation began in direct response to the newspaper story. Adverb It costs less if you buy it direct from the manufacturer. flew direct to the coast
Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
His son, Jason Reitman, directed Afterlife, but this time turned over helming duties to series co-scribe Gil Kenan. Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Mar. 2024 The movie, directed by Yan-Kay Crystal Lowe and premiering Saturday, is the first film in Hallmark's Make Her Mark Women's Directing Program, a mentorship initiative intended to create opportunities for more women behind the camera. Breanne L. Heldman, Peoplemag, 22 Mar. 2024 The new season will feature episodes directed by Ben Chessell, Jamie Donoughue, Julie Anne Robinson and Dylan Holmes Williams. Jack Dunn, Variety, 22 Mar. 2024 The production directed by Bobby Imperato features music by Joshua Salzman, book and lyrics by Ryan Cunningham, with music direction by Danny Myers and artistic direction by Sean Boyd. Linda McIntosh, San Diego Union-Tribune, 22 Mar. 2024 But House Republicans, in large part directed by former president Donald Trump, recently spiked legislation that could address some of these concerns. Ishaan Tharoor, Washington Post, 22 Mar. 2024 County commissioners directed staff to explore several interim solutions and move forward with a strategic planning process. Sarah Ritter, Kansas City Star, 22 Mar. 2024 Mitch Ryan directed the video, in which Rodrigo hosts a beauty pageant while despairing over the enviable attributes of her partner’s ex. Rodrigo co-wrote the song with Annie Clark (aka St. Vincent) and longtime collaborator Dan Nigro. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 22 Mar. 2024 Mohan previously directed Sweeney in The Voyeurs, an underrated direct-to-streaming movie that debuted on Amazon in 2021. David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024
Adjective
Its steering is textured and telepathically direct, braking power is immense, and gear shifts using the paddles are brutally mechanical. Tim Pitt, Robb Report, 22 Mar. 2024 On the other hand, Samsung's Neo QLED TVs boast a brighter picture, which might be better if your living room receives direct sunlight. Cierra Cowan, PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024 In business class, every seat will have direct to aisle access and can convert into a flat bed. Vinod Sreeharsha, Miami Herald, 22 Mar. 2024 Mohan previously directed Sweeney in The Voyeurs, an underrated direct-to-streaming movie that debuted on Amazon in 2021. David Sims, The Atlantic, 22 Mar. 2024 Their direct messages turned into texts and FaceTime calls, with Mr. Elliott in New York and Ms. Hill in Memphis studying dentistry at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center. Julia Carmel, New York Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Some herbs, like mint, chives and cilantro, are more tolerant of low light conditions and may fare better indoors without direct sunlight. The Arizona Republic, 21 Mar. 2024 There are four bedrooms, each with direct access to the outdoors and an ensuite bathroom. Mark David, Robb Report, 12 Mar. 2024 In the clip viewed by Rolling Stone, Ross appears to be reading direct messages from Tate. Ej Dickson, Rolling Stone, 12 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Jet Blue flies direct from New York and Boston, Delta offers nonstop flights from Atlanta, and United flies direct to Saint Lucia from New Jersey and Chicago. Rebecca Holland, Forbes, 9 Feb. 2024 Starting April 30, the carrier will fly direct from San Diego International Airport to Raleigh-Durham, Breeze shared with Travel + Leisure. Alison Fox, Travel + Leisure, 9 Jan. 2024 The top five global sellers of advertising — Google, Meta, Bytedance, Alibaba and Amazon — using artificial intelligence and going direct to consumers to record 25.4 percent in compound revenue growth on an annual basis from 2016 to 2024, GroupM indicated. Etan Vlessing, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2023 Eight carriers — United, American, Delta, Air Canada, Frontier, Southwest, Spirit, and JetBlue — fly direct to cities across the U.S., plus Canada, Aruba, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. Cailey Rizzo, Travel + Leisure, 10 Jan. 2024 To get to Anguilla, most travelers from New York can expect a long layover in Miami, while guests at Aurora Anguilla Resort & Golf Club can fly direct from Westchester Airport aboard a private jet. Paul Tumpowsky, Travel + Leisure, 16 Dec. 2023 The planet of communication, travel, and technology is stationing direct on the 15th and thus freeing you. Meghan Rose, Glamour, 1 Dec. 2023 United and Delta fly direct from the US, Cathay Pacific and LATAM relaunched flights in 2023, and Air Algérie and Saudia have brand new routes to the city. Cnt Editors, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Nov. 2023 Including a prototype, only 51 examples of the 964 RSR were built, each supplied direct from the factory as a turnkey race car for privateer racers. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 6 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'direct.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Adverb

Middle English, from Anglo-French directer, from Latin directus straight, from past participle of dirigere to direct — more at dress

Adjective

Middle English, from Latin directus — see direct entry 1

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 4d

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 6

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of direct was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near direct

Cite this Entry

“Direct.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/direct. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

direct

1 of 2 verb
di·​rect də-ˈrekt How to pronounce direct (audio)
dī-
1
: to mark with a name and address
direct a letter
2
: to cause to turn, move, or point or to follow a straight course
3
: to point in a specified line, course, or direction
4
: to show or point out the way for
the signs directed us to the museum
5
: to guide the activities or course of
direct the project
direct a play
6
: to request or instruct with authority
the court directed the jury to acquit them

direct

2 of 2 adjective
1
: proceeding from one point to another in time or space without turning or stopping : straight
2
a
: coming immediately from a source, cause, or reason
direct result
b
: done or working without something else coming in between
direct action
direct printing
c
: being in an unbroken family line : lineal
direct ancestor
3
4
: consisting of or reproducing the exact words of a speaker or writer
a direct quotation
direct adverb
directness
-ˈrek(t)-nəs
noun

Legal Definition

direct

1 of 3 transitive verb
di·​rect
1
: to order with authority
the testator directed that the car go to his niece
2
: to order entry of (a verdict) without jury consideration
the court directed a verdict in favor of the defendant
3
: to act as director of

intransitive verb

: to act as director

direct

2 of 3 adjective
1
a
: stemming immediately from a source
direct costs
a direct claim
compare derivative
b
: being or passing in a straight line from parent to offspring : lineal
a direct ancestor
compare collateral
2
: marked by absence of any intervening agency, instrumentality, or influence
direct consequences
3
: effected by the action of the people or the electorate and not by representatives
direct democracy
4
: characterized by close logical, causal, or consequential relationship
a direct interest in the outcome of the litigation
directly adverb

direct

3 of 3 noun
: direct examination
testimony given on direct

More from Merriam-Webster on direct

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