directive

[ dih-rek-tiv, dahy- ]
See synonyms for: directivedirectives on Thesaurus.com

adjective
  1. serving to direct; directing: a directive board.

  2. Psychology. pertaining to a type of psychotherapy in which the therapist actively offers advice and information rather than dealing only with information supplied by the patient.

noun
  1. an authoritative instruction or direction; specific order: a new directive by the president on foreign aid.

Origin of directive

1
First recorded in 1425–75; late Middle English word from Medieval Latin word dīrēctīvus.See direct, -ive

Other words from directive

  • self-di·rec·tive, adjective

Words Nearby directive

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use directive in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for directive

directive

/ (dɪˈrɛktɪv, daɪ-) /


noun
  1. an instruction; order

adjective
  1. tending to direct; directing

  2. indicating direction

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