View synonyms for

directly

[ dih-rekt-lee, dahy- ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

adverb

in a direct line, way, or manner; straight:
The path leads directly to the lake.
at once; without delay; immediately:
Do that directly.
shortly; soon:
They will be here directly.
exactly; precisely:
directly opposite the store.
without intervening space; next in order:
The truck was parked directly behind my car.
openly or frankly; candidly:
He didn't hesitate to speak directly about his debts.
Synonyms:
Mathematics. in direct proportion.

conjunction

as soon as:
Directly he arrived, he mentioned the subject.

directly

/ dɪˈrɛktlɪ; daɪ- /

adverb

in a direct manner
at once; without delay
foll bybefore or after immediately; just

conjunction

subordinating as soon as
we left directly the money arrived

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Word History and Origins

Origin of directly¹

First recorded in 1350–1400, directly is from the Middle English word directli. See direct, -ly

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Synonym Study

See immediately.

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Dr Garber, who is Jewish, last month wrote in a letter to students that he had personally "experienced antisemitism directly, even while serving as president".

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At several locations, the border guards were manning positions well inside Iraqi territory, directly opposite Turkish troops, unable to go right up to the border and potentially risk a clash.

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The three TV news networks then in existence — ABC, CBS and NBC — all fielded skilled reporters who questioned Nixon directly and cultivated leads in the administration.

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Mr Harvey sat in the witness box and looked directly at Burrows throughout.

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“As people walk through the galleries, they will directly hear the musicians they are closest to, while hearing the ‘spirit’ of the other groups.”

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Related Words

direct lighting direct mail

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