direct
Proceeding without deviation or interruption.
Word facts
Definition of Direct
Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end.
Example sentences
He directed his question to the room in general.
He directed me to the left-hand road.
Using Direct well
A closer look at how direct is used — meaning in plain English, how close synonyms differ, and examples at different levels.
Going straight to the point or straight to a place, without anything in between.
Use it for a straight route, a clear and blunt manner, or a link with no intermediary. As a verb it means to guide, aim, or manage something.
Travel and routes, communication style, business and management, cause-and-effect statements, and film or theater (to direct).
As a verb, do not confuse 'direct' (to guide or instruct) with 'dictate' (to say aloud for writing, or to impose by force).
- straightforward
- Emphasizes being easy to understand and honest, without the bluntness that 'direct' can imply.
- blunt
- Stronger and can seem rude; suggests directness that ignores others' feelings.
- frank
- Honest and open, especially about difficult truths; warmer and more candid than plain 'direct'.
- candid
- Stresses sincerity and holding nothing back, often about personal opinions.
- immediate
- Highlights the no-intermediary sense, as in an immediate cause, rather than manner or route.
- indirect
- Plain opposite: going a roundabout way, or hinting rather than stating.
- roundabout
- Opposite of the 'straight route' sense; taking a longer, winding path.
- evasive
- Opposite of the 'plain-spoken' sense; deliberately avoiding a clear answer.
- Beginner Is there a direct train to the airport, or do I have to change?
- In writing She gave direct feedback: the draft was strong, but the opening needed to go.
- Advanced There was a direct line from that early decision to everything that followed, though no one saw it at the time.
Direct = 'straight': a direct route and direct words both go straight to the target.
Synonyms for Direct
Antonyms for Direct
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Words that rhyme with Direct
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FAQ
Questions people ask
What does direct mean?
Proceeding without deviation or interruption. It is an adjective.
How many syllables does direct have?
Direct breaks into 2 syllables — dur·ehkt — when you say it aloud.
What part of speech is direct?
Direct works as an adjective. As a verb, it describes an action or state.
What are synonyms for direct?
You can often swap direct for candid, address, forthright, conduct, though each carries a slightly different shade of meaning.
How do you use direct in a sentence?
Example: "He directed his question to the room in general."