directly

[dih-rekt-lee, dahy-]

adverb

1. in a direct line, way, or manner; straight.

   The path leads directly to the lake.

2. at once; without delay; immediately.

   Do that directly.

3. shortly; soon.

   They will be here directly.

4. exactly; precisely.

   directly opposite the store.

5. without intervening space; next in order.

   The truck was parked directly behind my car.

6. openly or frankly; candidly.

   He didn't hesitate to speak directly about his debts.

   Synonyms: freely

7. Mathematics.,  in direct proportion.

conjunction

1. as soon as.

   Directly he arrived, he mentioned the subject.

directly

/ dɪˈrɛktlɪ, daɪ- /

adverb

1. in a direct manner

2. at once; without delay

3. immediately; just

conjunction

1. (subordinating) as soon as

   we left directly the money arrived

Word History and Origins

Origin of directly¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, directly is from the Middle English word directli. See direct, -ly

Synonym Study

See immediately.

Example Sentences

Even when it doesn’t affect the plot directly, it’s the canvas the story is painted on, its whiteness of an intensity not otherwise seen on the screen, except in starship hallways.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“Today we directly purchased Argentine pesos,” Bessent said in a post on X External link, adding that the U.S. has also finalized plans for a $20 billion currency swap.

Read more on Barron's

Mr. Fox has assembled a lightly amusing scrapbook of memories, suitable for a very short flight, aimed directly at devoted fans of “Back to the Future.”

Read more on Wall Street Journal

To keep ObamaCare afloat, the federal government has propped it up with hundreds of billions of dollars in handouts directly to the insurance industry while failing to lower costs.

Read more on Wall Street Journal

Your experience with costs and longevity is directly represented by these findings.

Read more on MarketWatch

Related Words

• immediately 
• instantaneously www.thesaurus.com
• instantly 
• promptly 
• quickly 
• shortly