directly

[dih-rekt-lee, dahy-]

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adverb

in a direct line, way, or manner; straight: The path leads directly to the lake.

at once; without delay; immediately: Do that directly.

shortly; soon: They will be here directly.

exactly; precisely: directly opposite the store.

without intervening space; next in order: The truck was parked directly behind my car.

openly or frankly; candidly: He didn't hesitate to speak directly about his debts.

Mathematics. in direct proportion.

conjunction

as soon as: Directly he arrived, he mentioned the subject.

Origin of directly

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

Synonyms for directly

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2. See immediately. 6. straightforwardly, freely, plainly, unreservedly.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for directly

straight, precisely, shortly, instantaneously, promptly, immediately, quickly, instantly, candidly, openly, honestly, personally, direct, forthwith, straightaway, beeline, dead, due, exactly, plump

Examples from the Web for directly

Contemporary Examples of directly

So I send a note out to his house with Tony, his driver, who promises he'll put it directly into Hitch's hand.
Alfred Hitchcock’s Fade to Black: The Great Director’s Final Days
David Freeman
December 13, 2014
Today, in contrast, if Grandma Maude starts one in Maine, Aunty Carol can directly help out from California.
Why Every Home Needs a Drone This Holiday
Charlie Gilbert
December 8, 2014
He was prepared to swarm the island—not directly, but through Brooklyn.
The British Royals Reinvade Brooklyn: William and Kate Come Watch Basketball on Historic Battle Site
Justin Jones
December 6, 2014
At no time during the shoot was Viscount Severn directly in front of the Earl of Wessex.
Prince Charles Photographed Shooting, Charges of Animal Cruelty and Royal Hypocrisy Reignited
Tom Sykes
December 1, 2014
Each side has deeply seeded beliefs that are based on directly opposing ideologies.
‘Gods of Suburbia’: Dina Goldstein’s Arresting Photo Series on Religion vs. Consumerism
Dina Goldstein
November 8, 2014

Historical Examples of directly

I fetched up at an exit on the side street, and there they were directly in front of me.
The Spenders
Harry Leon Wilson
The Nile was directly responsible for this useful development.
Ancient Man
Hendrik Willem van Loon
Directly they had reached the privacy of the street they became quieter.
Ester Ried Yet Speaking
Isabella Alden
The joint of the 20-foot pieces should be directly in the center of the 10-foot piece.
Flying Machines
W.J. Jackman and Thos. H. Russell
"The table is directly in front of you," came the Leopard Woman's voice.
The Leopard Woman
Stewart Edward White

British Dictionary definitions for directly

directly

adverb

in a direct manner

at once; without delay

(foll by before or after) immediately; just

conjunction

(subordinating) as soon aswe left directly the money arrived

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for directly

adv.

1510s, "in a straight line," from direct (adj.) + -ly (2). Figurative use is slightly earlier (c.1500). Meaning "at once, immediately in time" (c.1600) is from earlier sense of "without intermediate steps" (1520s).