di·rect·ly
də-ˈrek(t)-lē 
dī-
in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē
or ˈdrek-lē
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
di·rect·ly
də-ˈrek(t)-lē
dī-;
ˈdrek-lē
chiefly British
: immediately after : as soon as
Directly I received it I rang up the shipping company …—
F. W. Crofts
F. W. CroftsExamples of directly in a Sentence
Adverb
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.
Conjunction
I came directly I received your message.
Recent Examples on the Web
Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Some of these issues directly impact visitation and being able to compete.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
While federal law makes Ross immune from being directly sued for assault or wrongful death in Good’s shooting, he could be named as a defendant – and end up in front of a jury – in a suit accusing him of denying Good’s civil rights.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adverb
OpenAI has made a smart strategic move by sidestepping the interoperability nightmare and going directly to consumers, who are legally entitled to access their own health data under regulations such as the 21st Century Cures Act.
—Sahar Hashmi, Forbes.com, 25 Jan. 2026
Some of these issues directly impact visitation and being able to compete.
—Bryan Hendricks, Arkansas Online, 25 Jan. 2026
While federal law makes Ross immune from being directly sued for assault or wrongful death in Good’s shooting, he could be named as a defendant – and end up in front of a jury – in a suit accusing him of denying Good’s civil rights.
—Andy Rose, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—arkansasonline.com, 25 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 31 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
