Definition of "directly" in English

adverb

1. In a direct manner; in a straight line or course.

   • He drove directly to the office, and didn't stop off at the petrol station.

2. In a straightforward way; without anything intervening; not by secondary but by direct means.

   • I'm sick of asking you to fire him; I'll just do it directly.

3. Plainly, without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in express terms.

   • I'm going to tell Natalie directly that I love her.
   • To put it more directly: he's not 'made redundant' but sacked.

4. Exactly; just; at the shortest possible distance.

   • It's directly across the street.

5. Straightforwardly; honestly.

   • He told me directly that he'd cheated on me, and how sorry he was for it.

6. (dated) Immediately.

7. (chiefly dated or dialect, including Midlands, Cornwall, Southern US) Soon; next; in due time; as soon as it becomes convenient.

   • We'll go to the store directly, but first I need to finish sweeping.

conjunction

1. (chiefly British) As soon as; immediately (elliptical for directly that/as/when)