direct (directs 3rd person present) (directing present participle) (directed past tense & past participle )
1 adj Direct means moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping, for example in a journey.
usu ADJ n (Antonym: indirect)
They'd come on a direct flight from Athens.
Direct is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
You can fly direct to Amsterdam from most British airports.
directly adv ADV after v
The jumbo jet is due to fly the hostages directly back to London.
2 adj If something is in direct heat or light, it is strongly affected by the heat or light, because there is nothing between it and the source of heat or light to protect it.
ADJ n
Medicines should be stored away from direct sunlight...
3 adj You use direct to describe an experience, activity, or system which only involves the people, actions, or things that are necessary to make it happen.
usu ADJ n
He has direct experience of the process of privatisation..., He seemed to be in direct contact with the Boss...
Direct is also an adverb., adv ADV after v
I can deal direct with your Inspector Kimble...
directly adv ADV with v
We cannot measure pain directly. It can only be estimated...
4 adj You use direct to emphasize the closeness of a connection between two things.
usu ADJ n (emphasis, Antonym: indirect)
They were unable to prove that she died as a direct result of his injection...
5 adj If you describe a person or their behaviour as direct, you mean that they are honest and open, and say exactly what they mean., (Antonym: indirect)
He avoided giving a direct answer...
directly adv ADV after v
At your first meeting, explain simply and directly what you hope to achieve...
directness n-uncount
Using `I' adds directness to a piece of writing...
6 verb If you direct something at a particular thing, you aim or point it at that thing.
(=aim)
I directed the extinguisher at the fire without effect... V n at/towards/on n
7 verb If your attention, emotions, or actions are directedat a particular person or thing, you are focusing them on that person or thing.
(=focus)
The learner's attention needs to be directed to the significant features... be V-ed to/towards n/-ing
Do not be surprised if, initially, she directs her anger at you... V n at n
8 verb If a remark or look is directedat you, someone says something to you or looks at you.
She could hardly believe the question was directed towards her... be V-ed towards n
The abuse was directed at the TV crews... be V-ed at n
Arnold directed a meaningful look at Irma. V n at n
9 verb If you direct someone somewhere, you tell them how to get there.
Could you direct them to Dr Lamont's office, please?... V n to n
10 verb When someone directs a project or a group of people, they are responsible for organizing the people and activities that are involved.
Christopher will direct day-to-day operations. V n
direction n-uncount
Organizations need clear direction...
11 verb When someone directs a film, play, or television programme, they are responsible for the way in which it is performed and for telling the actors and assistants what to do.
He directed various TV shows... V n
...Miss Birkin's long-held ambition to direct as well as act. V
12 verb If you are directedto do something, someone in authority tells you to do it.
FORMAL They have been directed to give special attention to the problem of poverty... be V-ed to-inf
The Bishop directed the faithful to stay at home. V n to-inf
13 adj If you are a direct descendant of someone, you are related to them through your parents and your grandparents and so on.
ADJ n
She is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria.
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