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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

direct

/daɪˈɹɛkt/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:41
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What does direct mean?

adjective

  1. Proceeding without deviation or interruption.
  2. Straight; not crooked, oblique, or circuitous; leading by the short or shortest way to a point or end.
  3. Straightforward; sincere.
More meanings (12)

adjective

  1. Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.
  2. In the line of descent; not collateral.
  3. 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.
  4. Pertaining to, or effected immediately by, action of the people through their votes instead of through one or more representatives or delegates.
  5. Having a single flight number.
  6. Not employing the law of the excluded middle or argument by contradiction.

adverb

  1. Directly.

verb

  1. To manage, control, steer.
  2. To aim (something) at (something else).
  3. To point out to or show (somebody) the right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way; to refer.
  4. To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order.
  5. (dated) To address (a letter) to a particular person or place.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/daɪˈɹɛkt/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/dɪˈɹɛkt//dəˈɹɛkt/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

She looked at his big head, a disproportionate part of which was occupied by the forehead, and at the direct, severe eyes.
Virginia WoolfThe Voyage OutProject Gutenberg ebook #144
I made it a rule to forbear all direct contradiction to the sentiments of others, and all positive assertion of my own.
Benjamin FranklinThe Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinProject Gutenberg ebook #148
More book examples (3)
It was a matter upon which he was reticent, and with persons of his kind a direct question is never very discreet.
W. Somerset (William Somerset) MaughamThe Moon and SixpenceProject Gutenberg ebook #222
In Siberia, a tramp is being flogged with the lash, the direct result of an order issued by the Minister of justice.
Leo, graf TolstoyThe forged coupon, and other storiesProject Gutenberg ebook #243
In respect of steam used, the direct acting engines compare favourably with an expansion beam condensing engine doing similar but lighter work.
James NasmythJames Nasmyth, Engineer: An AutobiographyProject Gutenberg ebook #476