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direct

v. · adj. · adv.
US //daɪˈɹɛkt// UK //daɪɹˈɛkt// di·rect
  1. 1 to show the way (v.)
    A2 Elementary

    to show someone how to get to a place.

    to guide or point out the way to a destination.

    Example

    Could you direct me to the nearest train station?

    Example

    The concierge was happy to direct the tourists to the hidden courtyard that most guidebooks overlook.

    Usage

    Often used with a person as the direct object and a prepositional phrase starting with 'to'.
  2. 2 to manage or lead (v.)
    B1 Intermediate

    to be in charge of a project, a group of people, or a film.

    to manage, control, or supervise the operations of an organisation or the creative aspects of a production.

    Example

    She was chosen to direct the new summer blockbuster movie.

    Example

    After years of assisting others, he finally had the opportunity to direct a research project of his own design.
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  1. 3 to give an order (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Formal Law

    to tell someone exactly what they must do in an official way.

    to instruct with authority; to issue an official order or requirement.

    Example

    The judge directed the jury to ignore the last statement.

    Example

    The CEO directed all department heads to submit their revised budget proposals by the end of the fiscal quarter.

    Usage

    Commonly follows the pattern 'direct someone to do something'.
  2. 4 straight or non-stop (adj.)
    A2 Elementary travel

    going straight to a place without stopping or changing direction.

    proceeding from one point to another in time or space without deviation or interruption.

    Example

    Is there a direct flight from London to New York?

    Example

    The new high-speed rail link provides a direct connection between the capital and the northern industrial hubs.
  3. 5 honest and clear (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    saying exactly what you mean in a clear and honest way.

    straightforward and sincere in communication; lacking ambiguity or hidden meaning.

    Example

    I like her because she is very direct and never wastes time.

    Example

    The negotiator's direct approach was initially startling, but it ultimately saved both parties weeks of unnecessary posturing.
  4. 6 immediate cause (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Academic Science

    happening as a first result of something, with nothing in between.

    having an immediate relationship or being the primary cause without intervening factors.

    Example

    The power cut was a direct result of the heavy storm.

    Example

    The scientist argued that there was a direct correlation between the rising temperatures and the decline in local bird populations.
  5. 7 without stopping (adv.)
    B1 Intermediate

    going straight to a place without stopping anywhere else.

    by a straight route or without any intermediary agents.

    Example

    We went direct to the hotel after our long flight.

    Example

    The goods are shipped direct from the factory to the customer to reduce overhead costs.

    Usage

    In modern English, 'directly' is more common as an adverb, but 'direct' is used in specific contexts like travel and shipping.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin dīrēctus, perfect passive participle of dīrigō (“straighten, direct”), from dis- (“asunder, in pieces, apart, in two”) + regō (“make straight, rule”). Compare dress. Doublet of derecho. For the meaning development compare with Russian напра́вить (naprávitʹ, “to direct, to turn, to aim, to level, to point”), отпра́вить (otprávitʹ, “to send, to dispatch, to forward”) connected with пра́вить (právitʹ, “to govern, to rule, to drive, to steer”).

Word family

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