directly

Comparative

more directly

Superlative

most directly

Adverb

Adverb

×

A word that modifies a verb, adjective, another adverb, or a clause.

1. 1.In a direct manner; in a straight line or course.

   • He drove directly to the office, and didn't stop off at the petrol station.
   • It is more difficult to directly compare train operations and maintenance, given how fragmented the non-infrastructure segments of the industry are today.
   • On arriving at the doors, and entering a long, capacious passage, our eyes became quite dazzled by the gleams of colored light which shone upon them, both directly and reflectedly.

2. 2.In a straightforward way; without anything intervening; not by secondary but by direct means.

   • I'm sick of asking you to fire him; I'll just do it directly.

3. 3.Plainly, without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in express terms.

   • I'm going to tell Natalie directly that I love her.
   • To put it more directly: he's not 'made redundant' but sacked.

4. 4.Exactly; just; at the shortest possible distance.

   • It's directly across the street.

Conj

Conjunction

×

A word that links words, phrases, or clauses.

1. 1.As soon as; immediately (elliptical for directly that/as/when)

   • He is to go to Calais, directly this is over, to replace Lord Berners as governor [..].
   • Tenderly, reluctantly, he took his leave of her, promising that he would contact her directly he got back, perhaps in ten days or so.

Overall

Common· #1220

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Rare

General reading & writing

Common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Rare

Word family

• direct