Definition of "direct" in English

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.

   • the most direct route between two buildings

3. Straightforward; sincere.

4. Immediate; express; plain; unambiguous.

5. In the line of descent; not collateral.

   • a descendant in the direct line

6. (astronomy) 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.

7. (political science) Pertaining to, or effected immediately by, action of the people through their votes instead of through one or more representatives or delegates.

   • direct nomination; direct legislation

8. (aviation, travel) Having a single flight number.

9. (mathematics, logic, of a proof) Not employing the law of the excluded middle or argument by contradiction.

adverb

1. Directly.

verb

1. To manage, control, steer.

   • to direct the affairs of a nation or the movements of an army

2. To aim (something) at (something else).

   • They directed their fire towards the men on the wall.
   • He directed his question to the room in general.

3. To point out to or show (somebody) the right course or way; to guide, as by pointing out the way; to refer.

   • He directed me to the left-hand road.

4. To point out to with authority; to instruct as a superior; to order.

   • She directed them to leave immediately.

5. (dated) To address (a letter) to a particular person or place.