English Reference
verb · adjective

directed

v. · adj.
US /daɪˈɹɛktɪd/ UK /daɪɹˈɛktɪd/ di·rect·ed

  1. 01 B1 Intermediate

    v.to have managed or controlled a project, business, or group of people.

    v.to have managed, controlled, or overseen the operations of an organisation or project.

    Simple

    She directed the marketing department for five years before being promoted.

    In context

    The CEO directed the restructuring process with a focus on long-term sustainability rather than immediate quarterly gains.

    Usage

    Transitive verb taking a direct object.

  2. 02 B1 Intermediate Theatre

    v.to have been the person in charge of making a film, play, or television show.

    v.to have exercised creative and technical control over the production of a film, play, or broadcast.

    Simple

    He directed several award-winning documentaries about wildlife in Africa.

    In context

    The play was directed by a newcomer who chose to set the Shakespearean tragedy in a modern corporate office.

    Usage

    Often used in the passive voice when referring to the creator of a work.

  3. 03 B1 Intermediate

    v.to have told someone how to get somewhere or what to do.

    v.to have provided guidance, instructions, or physical orientation to a person or group.

    Simple

    The police officer directed the traffic away from the scene of the accident.

    In context

    The receptionist directed the visitors toward the conference room at the end of the hallway.

    Usage

    Often takes an object followed by a prepositional phrase of direction.

  4. 04 B2 Upper Intermediate

    adj.aimed or pointed toward a specific person, place, or goal.

    adj.specifically aimed, addressed, or oriented toward a particular target or objective.

    Simple

    The teacher's comments were directed at the students who hadn't finished their homework.

    In context

    The new legislation is directed at reducing carbon emissions in the industrial sector over the next decade.

    Usage

    Commonly used with the preposition 'at'.

    aimlessrandom
  5. 05 C1 Advanced Technical Math

    adj.having a specific direction, like a line with an arrow on a map.

    adj.possessing a specified direction or orientation; in graph theory, having edges that go only one way.

    Simple

    A directed graph uses arrows to show the relationship between different points.

    In context

    The algorithm requires a directed acyclic graph to determine the correct order of operations for the software build.

    undirected
This entry
Level B1 · Intermediate
Frequency Common
Updated