directly

[ dih-rekt-lee, dahy- ]

/ dɪˈrɛkt li, daɪ- /

Save This Word!

See synonyms for directly on Thesaurus.com

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.

OTHER WORDS FOR directly

6 straightforwardly, freely, plainly, unreservedly.

See synonyms for directly on Thesaurus.com

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of directly

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

synonym study for directly

2. See immediately.

Words nearby directly

directions, directive, direct labor, direct labour, direct lighting, directly, direct mail, direct-mailer, direct-mail shot, direct marketing, direct memory access

How to use directly in a sentence

ClearFlame is aiming to work directly with the engine manufacturer, which will still give the company access to the secondary market because every OEM has its own aftermarket parts group, Johnson said.
ClearFlame Engine Technologies takes aim at cleaning up diesel engines|Kirsten Korosec|September 17, 2020|TechCrunch
The installation is fairly simple as it can be hung from a hook or nail directly into the wall.
Cork boards for organizing your home or office|PopSci Commerce Team|September 17, 2020|Popular-Science
In other words, unions reduce the need for government redistribution through a sort of pre-distribution that’s negotiated directly by employers and workers.
Does Anyone Really Know What Socialism Is? (Ep. 408 Rebroadcast)|Stephen J. Dubner|September 17, 2020|Freakonomics
In the 13 years since, the Gateway brand has languished largely unused, while Acer built up its own name in the United States directly.
We found out who makes Walmart’s new Gateway laptops, and it’s bad news|Jim Salter|September 16, 2020|Ars Technica

You’ll be able to create another desktop, navigate the ones you have, and, if you don’t have any, you’ll be able to directly open files you’ve used recently.
Make online classes easier with these laptop shortcuts|Sandra Gutierrez G.|September 15, 2020|Popular-Science
Several times, either because they forgot or they had a technical problem, they connected directly, and we could see them.
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Instead of going for the hole, I hit the ball directly into the water.
Lost For Thousands of Strokes: 'Desert Golfing' Is 'Angry Birds' as Modern Art|Alec Kubas-Meyer|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
The television networks interrupt their broadcasts to take the nation directly to Selma.
Dr. King Goes to Hollywood: The Flawed History of ‘Selma’|Gary May|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Adnan is far more likeable than Jay because we hear directly from him.
The Deal With Serial’s Jay? He’s Pissed Off, Mucks Up Our Timeline|Emily Shire|December 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In this way, inspiration becomes appropriation, which leads directly to theft and erasure.
The Cultural Crimes of Iggy Azalea|Amy Zimmerman|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
This, however, did not apply to the waters lying directly around the Poloe and Flatland groups.
The Giant of the North|R.M. Ballantyne
He decided not to return home directly; he wanted to go somewhere, but did not care to stay in Chicago.
The Homesteader|Oscar Micheaux
The good which came to him, directly and indirectly, from these opportunities can hardly be overstated.
Kipling Stories and Poems Every Child Should Know, Book II|Rudyard Kipling
She now understood nearly all that was said directly to her, though she could not follow general and confused conversation.
Ramona|Helen Hunt Jackson
In brief, by the close of the year, the phenomenal conditions growing directly out of the European war had been met and overcome.
Readings in Money and Banking|Chester Arthur Phillips

British Dictionary definitions for directly

directly

/ (dɪˈrɛktlɪ, daɪ-) /

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

directly

OTHER WORDS FOR directly

Origin of directly

synonym study for directly

Words nearby directly

Words related to directly

How to use directly in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for directly