directly
1 of 2adverb
di·rect·ly də-ˈrek(t)-lē 
dī-,
in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē,
or ˈdrek-lē
1
a
: in a direct manner
directly relevant
the road runs directly east and west
b
: in immediate physical contact
c
: in the manner of direct variation
2
a
: without delay : immediately
the second game followed directly after the first
b
: in a little while : shortly
we'll be leaving directly
directly
2 of 2conjunction
di·rect·ly də-ˈrek(t)-lē
dī-;
ˈdrek-lē
chiefly British
: immediately after : as soon as
directly I received it I rang up the shipping company
F. W. Crofts
F. W. Crofts
Synonyms
Adverb
- dead
- direct
- due
- plumb
- plump
- right
- straight
- straightway
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adverb He refused to answer the question directly. She said that she wanted to speak to you directly. The package will be sent directly to your home. The two accidents are directly related. Thousands of people were directly affected by the disaster. Antonyms are words that are directly opposite in meaning. We parked directly behind the store. He sat directly across from me at the dinner table. Conjunction I came directly I received your message. See More
Recent Examples on the Web Maggie O'neill, SELF, 9 Sep. 2022 The agencies that sent the alert are directly involved in the investigation. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 The group isn’t directly involved in the identification project but recently hosted an online town hall to discuss their privacy concerns. WIRED, 8 Sep. 2022 Russia has not only threatened to resort to nuclear escalation if the U.S. becomes more directly involved in the war, but has threatened Europe’s nuclear security by stationing its troops at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 Europe was watching from the sides, and of course being fascinated, but not involved directly. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 Yet for Ugandan singer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu — better known to his adoring fans as Bobi Wine — there’s both everything and nothing to lose by getting a little more directly involved in national politics than most such celebrities would dare. Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2022 SoRelle has not been directly involved in the criminal defense of any of the Oath Keepers charged in connection with Jan. 6. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 President Biden has been adamant that the United States will not be directly involved militarily in the conflict. Blaise Malley, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 See More
Adverb
Before the pandemic hit, this age group was the least likely to receive mental health treatment, but it's become the most likely to in the past few years, Dr. Katz, who was not directly involved in the report, says. Maggie O'neill, SELF, 9 Sep. 2022 The agencies that sent the alert are directly involved in the investigation. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 9 Sep. 2022 The group isn’t directly involved in the identification project but recently hosted an online town hall to discuss their privacy concerns. WIRED, 8 Sep. 2022 Russia has not only threatened to resort to nuclear escalation if the U.S. becomes more directly involved in the war, but has threatened Europe’s nuclear security by stationing its troops at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power station in Ukraine. Caitlin Mcfall, Fox News, 7 Sep. 2022 Europe was watching from the sides, and of course being fascinated, but not involved directly. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 6 Sep. 2022 Yet for Ugandan singer Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu — better known to his adoring fans as Bobi Wine — there’s both everything and nothing to lose by getting a little more directly involved in national politics than most such celebrities would dare. Guy Lodge, Variety, 2 Sep. 2022 SoRelle has not been directly involved in the criminal defense of any of the Oath Keepers charged in connection with Jan. 6. BostonGlobe.com, 1 Sep. 2022 President Biden has been adamant that the United States will not be directly involved militarily in the conflict. Blaise Malley, The New Republic, 1 Sep. 2022 See More Word History
First Known Use
Adverb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Conjunction
1795, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing directly
Kids Definition
directly
adverb
di·rect·ly də-ˈrekt-lē
dī-
1
: in a straight course or line
She sits directly across from me.
The road runs directly north.
2
: straight to or from a source : without interference
I spoke directly to the principal.
3
: immediately sense 2
She began directly to work.
directly
adverb
1
as in straight
in a direct line or course we went directly to the site without stopping to pick up extra supplies Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- straight
- right
- direct
- due
- dead
- straightway
- plump
- as the crow flies
- plumb
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- indirectly
- circuitously
- deviously
- veeringly
2
as in openly
in an honest and direct manner the instructor deals with her art students very directly, always telling them the plain truth Synonyms & Similar Words
- openly
- straight
- straightforwardly
- sincerely
- abruptly
- plain
- forthrightly
- straightforward
- simply
- sharply
- honestly
- plainly
- straightforwards
- frankly
- foursquare
- baldly
- candidly
- bluntly
- unreservedly
- unguardedly
- rudely
- brusquely
- openheartedly
- tactlessly
- truthfully
- artlessly
- curtly
- bluffly
- impolitely
- earnestly
- inconsiderately
- point-blank
- gruffly
- veraciously
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- politely
- indirectly
- tactfully
- courteously
- diplomatically
- wordily
- verbosely
- erroneously
- falsely
- untruthfully
- deceitfully
- civilly
- mendaciously
- long-windedly
- circuitously
- hypocritically
- insincerely
- ambiguously
- fallaciously
- evasively
- equivocally
3
as in accurately
in the same words quoted directly from the encyclopedia Synonyms & Similar Words
- accurately
- exactly
- precisely
- verbatim
- literally
- word for word
- identically
- ad verbum
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- virtually
- essentially
- basically
- freely
- inexactly
- carelessly
- loosely
- inaccurately
- imprecisely
4
as in immediately
without delay in case of a medical emergency, do not try to contact your doctor but instead go directly to the hospital Synonyms & Similar Words
- immediately
- instantly
- promptly
- now
- right
- away
- quickly
- instantaneously
- shortly
- straightaway
- right off
- soon
- straight off
- suddenly
- right away
- forthwith
- right now
- at once
- incontinently
- bang
- presently
- headlong
- straightway
- off the bat
- freely
- swiftly
- rapidly
- instanter
- pronto
- abruptly
- readily
- momentarily
- in no time
- plumb
- on the spot
- on a dime
- on the double
- quick
- speedily
- fast
- briskly
- unexpectedly
- hastily
- PDQ
- apace
- recklessly
- swift
- impulsively
- rashly
- anon
- full tilt
- fleetly
- impetuously
- posthaste
- opportunely
- punctually
- presto
- seasonably
- exactly
- snappily
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- slowly
- late
- tardily
5
as in shortly
at or within a short time dinner should be ready directly Synonyms & Similar Words
- shortly
- soon
- immediately
- momentarily
- before long
- instantly
- promptly
- instantaneously
- anon
- now
- presently
- straightaway
- right off
- right away
- forthwith
- incontinently
- right now
- straightway
- by and by
- pronto