English Reference

Word

director

Phoneticsdi·rec·tor, stress on the second syllable

US/daɪˈɹɛktɝ/

UK/daɪɹˈɛktɐ/

Definitions

01business leader

A2 · Elementary Countable noun

n. a person who is in charge of a department or a specific part of a company.

n. a senior manager responsible for a specific department or functional area within an organisation.

“She was recently promoted to director of marketing after three successful years.”

“The regional director oversees all operations across the northern territories, ensuring that every branch adheres to the new safety protocols.”

02board member

B1 · Intermediate Countable noun

n. one of the senior people who officially control a company.

n. a member of the board of directors of a commercial enterprise or other organisation.

“The company's directors met to discuss the budget for the next year.”

“The board of directors voted unanimously to approve the merger, citing significant long-term benefits for the shareholders.”

03film or theatre

A2 · Elementary Countable noun Theater

n. the person who tells the actors what to do and decides how a film or play should look.

n. the person responsible for the creative aspects and overall artistic vision of a film, play, or television programme.

“The director asked the actors to try the scene one more time.”

“The film director spent months in post-production, meticulously reviewing every frame to ensure the final cut matched his original vision.”

Synonyms

04spiritual guide

C1 · Advanced Countable noun Religion Formal

n. someone who gives advice about religious or personal life.

n. a person who provides spiritual guidance, often within a religious context.

“He spoke with his spiritual director about his doubts and fears.”

“In many monastic traditions, the novice relies heavily on a spiritual director to navigate the complexities of contemplative life.”

05technical device

C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Technology Technical

n. a tool or part of a machine that points something in the right direction.

n. a device or component used to orient or guide a signal, weapon, or mechanism.

“The technician adjusted the director on the antenna to improve the signal.”

“The Yagi antenna uses a director element to increase gain and provide better directivity for long-distance reception.”

Synonyms

guideaimer

Collocations

Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “director” in context.

01. director general 02. director of policy 03. director of research 04. director of education 05. director of the nonprofit

Real-World Examples

“When Barbarian, Zach Cregger’s debut film as a solo writer-director, came out in 2022, it was a big success, creating a buzz among horror connoisseurs, garnering good reviews, and grossing $46m.”
The Guardian 20 Sept 2026
“Dave Clark, the director of Promise’s Touch Grass – who is also working on an animation, Hardcore 94, set to an early 1990s LA hip-hop soundtrack – said that with “great dialogue and backstory”, AI-generated characters could become interesting and believable.”
The Guardian 16 Aug 2026
“The Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan believes the kind of movies he makes – big-budget action films shot mostly on location – would survive the spread of artificial intelligence, a technology he says many people “disdain”.”
The Guardian 13 Jul 2026
“Former Google executive Matt Brittin has been confirmed as the BBC's new director general.”
BBC News 25 Mar 2026

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French directeur and its source Late Latin dīrēctor, dīrēctōrem, from Latin dīrēctus. By surface analysis, direct + -or.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

Idioms

Domains

ChemistryElectronicsMilitary

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A2 KeyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.3.0–4.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 2.0–2.524–43TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.225–549
Frequency
Very common
Level
A2 · ElementaryOxford
Updated

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English Reference