direct

verb

To manage, control, steer.

To aim (something) at (something else).

To point out to or show (somebody) the right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way; to refer.

To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order.

(dated) To address (a letter) to a particular person or place.

adjective

Proceeding without deviation or interruption.

Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end.

Straightforward; sincere.

Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.

In the line of descent; not collateral.

(astronomy) In the direction of the general planetary motion, or from west to east; in the order of the signs; not retrograde; said of the motion of a celestial body.

(political science) Pertaining to, or effected immediately by, action of the people through their votes instead of through one or more representatives or delegates.

(aviation, travel) Having a single flight number.

(mathematics, logic, of a proof) Not employing the law of the excluded middle or argument by contradiction.

adverb

Directly.

Roots

rego-rect · Latin · rule, guide straight

Synonyms for direct

directlyadv straightadj linealadj steerv sendv undeviatingadj straightforwardadj immediateadj straightlyadv addressn leadv headn forthrightadj aimn guiden conductn mastermindn firsthandadv

Words related to direct

unmediatedadj indirectadj channelizev airtv indirectlyadv via plainspokenadj verbatimadv redirectv straightforwardlyadv misdirectv takev contactn mediatelyadv directnessn forthrightlyadv circuitousadj misaddressv

Synonyms & related words for direct

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Words related to direct

Explore words related to direct — words associated with it, words that go with it, and its nearest matches in meaning. Related words include unmediated, indirect, channelize, airt, indirectly, via, plainspoken, verbatim. Click any word to make it the center of the map and keep exploring the web of connections.

Synonyms for direct

Common synonyms for direct include directly, straight, lineal, steer, send, undeviating, straightforward, immediate — words that share a close meaning. Hover or tap any word on the map for its definition and part of speech.

Where does direct come from?

The word direct breaks down into one root of Latin origin: the root -rect, from Latin rego (“rule, guide straight”). Explore each root to see other English words built from the same source.