direct

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /dɪˈrɛkt/ or /ˌdaɪˈrɛkt/ or /dɚˈɛkt/
• SAMPA: /dI"rEkt/ or /%daI"rEkt/ or /d3`"Ekt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: di‧rect

Adjective

Positive direct

Comparative more direct

Superlative most direct

1. If something is direct, it is straight and as short as possible with nothing extra in between.

   It's a direct flight from Tokyo to Toronto with no stop in Vancouver.

   These improvement are a direct result of the recent changes.

   In talking to the president, she was more direct: "Your product is making me sick."

   There is growing contact, both direct and indirect, between the people.

Related words

• directly
• indirect
• indirectly
• directness

Verb

Plain form direct

Third-person singular directs

Past tense directed

Past participle directed

Present participle directing

1. (transitive); (always with a goal) If you direct something somewhere, you point it there.

   He directed his light to the corner where he heard the noise.

   Can you please direct your attention to the screen.

   Can you direct me to the station, please?

2. (transitive) If you direct something such as an organisation, you are in charge of if.

   She directed the investigation into the crash.

3. (transitive & intransitive) If you direct a play or film, you tell the actors how to act.
4. (transitive) If you direct something, you tell people what to do.

   He directed that the money go to the church after he died.

   Please close your books where you are directed to do so.

Related words

• direction
• undirected
• director
• directorship

Adverb

Positive direct

Comparative none

Superlative none

1. If you go somewhere or do something direct, you do so by the shortest route without anything extra in between.

Synonyms

• directly