/ dəˈrekt; NAmE ; dɪ-; daɪ-/ adjective , verb , adverb
■ adjective
NOBODY / NOTHING IN BETWEEN
1.
[ usually before noun ] happening or done without involving other people, actions, etc. in between :
They are in direct contact with the hijackers.
His death was a direct result of your action.
We are looking for somebody with direct experience of this type of work.
This information has a direct bearing on (= it is closely connected with) the case.
OPP indirect
JOURNEY / ROUTE
2.
going in the straightest line between two places without stopping or changing direction :
the most direct route / course
a direct flight (= a flight that does not stop)
There's a direct train to Leeds (= it may stop at other stations but you do not have to change trains) .
a direct hit (= a hit that is accurate and does not touch sth else first)
OPP indirect
HEAT / LIGHT
3.
[ only before noun ] with nothing between sth and the source of the heat or light :
Protect your child from direct sunlight by using a sunscreen.
EXACT
4.
[ only before noun ] exact :
That's the direct opposite of what you told me yesterday.
a direct quote (= one using a person's exact words)
SAYING WHAT YOU MEAN
5.
saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand :
a direct answer / question
You'll have to get used to his direct manner.
OPP indirect ➡ note at honest
RELATIONSHIP
6.
[ only before noun ] related through parents and children rather than brothers, sisters, aunts, etc. :
a direct descendant of the country's first president
OPP indirect
■ verb
AIM
1.
[ vn ] direct sth to / towards sth/sb | direct sth at / against sth/sb to aim sth in a particular direction or at a particular person :
The machine directs a powerful beam at the affected part of the body.
There are three main issues that we need to direct our attention to.
Most of his anger was directed against himself.
Was that remark directed at me?
CONTROL
2.
[ vn ] to control or be in charge of sb/sth :
A new manager has been appointed to direct the project.
He was asked to take command and direct operations .
MOVIE / PLAY / MUSIC
3.
to be in charge of actors in a play, or a film / movie, or musicians in an orchestra , etc. :
[ v ]
She prefers to act rather than direct.
[ vn ]
The movie was directed by Steven Spielberg.
She now directs a large choir.
SHOW THE WAY
4.
[ vn ] direct sb (to ... ) to tell or show sb how to get to somewhere or where to go :
Could you direct me to the station?
A police officer was directing the traffic.
➡ note at take
GIVE ORDER
5.
( formal ) to give an official order
SYN order :
[ vn to inf ]
The police officers had been directed to search the building.
[ v that ]
The judge directed that the mother be given custody of the children.
: ( BrE also)
The judge directed that the mother should be given custody of the children.
➡ note at order
LETTER / COMMENT
6.
[ vn ] direct sth to ... ( formal ) to send a letter, etc. to a particular place or to a particular person :
Direct any complaints to the Customer Services department.
■ adverb
JOURNEY / ROUTE
1.
without stopping or changing direction :
We flew direct to Hong Kong.
The 10.40 goes direct to Leeds.
NOBODY IN BETWEEN
2.
without involving other people :
I prefer to deal with him direct.
••
WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Latin directus , past participle of dirigere , from di- distinctly or de- down + regere put straight.