directional

American  

[dih-rek-shuh-nl, dahy-] / dɪˈrɛk ʃə nl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or indicating direction in space.

2. Radio. adapted for determining the direction of signals received, or for transmitting signals in a given direction.

   a directional antenna.

3. of, relating to, or providing guidance or leadership.

---

directional British  

/ dɪˈrɛkʃənəl, daɪ- /

adjective

1. of or relating to a spatial direction

2. electronics

   1. having or relating to an increased sensitivity to radio waves, sound waves, nuclear particles, etc, coming from a particular direction

   2. (of an aerial) transmitting or receiving radio waves more effectively in some directions than in others

3. physics electronics

   1. concentrated in, following, or producing motion in a particular direction

   2. indicating direction

4. indicating the direction something, such as a fashion trend, might take

   directional fashion looks

---

Other Word Forms

• directionality
  noun
• directionally
  adverb
• undirectional
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of directional

First recorded in 1605–15; direction + -al ¹

Example Sentences

Instead, they simply allow traders to take directional bets on whether the price will go up, or down — with plenty of leverage to supercharge their wins, and losses.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Regulators often engage such firms to understand trade flows and help identify other participants, such as hedge funds, that make directional bets on whether prices will rise or fall.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026

Instead, they simply allow traders to take directional bets on whether the price will go up, or down — with plenty of leverage to supercharge their wins, and losses.

From MarketWatch • May 20, 2026

Anyone who bets right on the directional outcome before these events conclude will have monetized one of the most event-heavy calendars in recent memory.

From Barron's • Apr. 28, 2026

I work up and down, alternating my use of my pencils and the pressure I place on them, trying to get the value and directional stroke just right.

From "Red Flags and Butterflies" by Sheryl Azzam