Definition of “Directly”
“Directly” is an adverb that means in a straight manner, without delay, or without anything in between. It can also mean immediately, exactly, or frankly depending on the context.
Synonyms for “Directly”
Strongest Matches (Exact Synonyms)
- Straight
- Immediately
- Instantly
- Promptly
- Explicitly
- Frankly
- Unambiguously
- Clearly
- Bluntly
- Candidly
Strong Matches (Very Similar Words)
- Right away
- At once
- Without hesitation
- Openly
- Precisely
- Clearly
- Undoubtedly
- Face-to-face
Weak Matches (Loosely Related Words)
- Soon
- Shortly
- Eventually
- Near
- Approaching
- Unfiltered
- Unreservedly
- Truthfully
Example Sentences Using “Directly”
- In a straight manner: “She walked directly to the manager’s office.”
- Without delay: “He will call you directly after the meeting.”
- Without anything in between: “The sun shone directly on the windows, making the room hot.”
- Immediately: “Please go directly to the main entrance.”
- Frankly: “She told him directly that she wasn’t interested.”
- Precisely or exactly: “The package was delivered directly to the correct address.”
Contextual Usage of “Directly”
- Conversational Use: “I will get back to you directly.”
- Business & Professional Use: “The CEO addressed the issue directly with the stakeholders.”
- Scientific/Technical Use: “Light travels directly through transparent objects.”
- Informal Use: “Tell me directly what you think!”
- Legal/Official Use: “The witness testified directly about the incident.”
Related Words & Phrases
- “Head-on”
- “Face-to-face”
- “Straightforward”
- “Precisely”
- “Clearly”
- “Forthwith”
- “Rapidly”
- “Unfiltered”
- “Truthfully”
- “Unreservedly”
Additional Relevant Information
Idiomatic Expressions Using “Directly”
- “Directly related to” – Something that is closely connected.
- “Come directly to the point” – To talk about the main subject without unnecessary details.
- “Directly opposite” – Something that is completely different or facing something else.
Common Mistakes When Using “Directly”
- Misuse in place of “soon”: While some dialects use “directly” to mean “soon” (e.g., “I’ll be there directly”), this usage is less common in standard English.
- Confusing “directly” with “indirectly”: “Directly” means without any intermediary, while “indirectly” means through a secondary channel.
- Overuse in formal writing: While “directly” is effective in precise communication, using too many direct statements can make the tone seem abrupt.
Disclaimer
This page is intended for educational and reference purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, usage may vary based on dialect and context. Always refer to authoritative linguistic sources for specialized applications.
