direct
♦♦♦ di|rect /daɪr'ekt, dɪ-/ (directs directing directed)
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Direct means moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping, for example in a journey.
They'd come on a direct flight from Athens.
≠ indirect
[ADV] ADV after v
Direct is also an adverb.
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] ADJ n
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.
Medicines should be stored away from direct sunlight...
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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.
He has direct experience of the process of privatisation...
He seemed to be in direct contact with the Boss...
[ADV] ADV after v
Direct is also an adverb.
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] usu ADJ n
You use direct to emphasize the closeness of a connection between two things.
They were unable to prove that she died as a direct result of his injection...
≠ indirect
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.
He avoided giving a direct answer...
≠ indirect
● 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] V n at/towards/on n
If you direct something at a particular thing, you aim or point it at that thing.
I directed the extinguisher at the fire without effect...
= aim
7 [VERB] be V-ed to/towards n/-ing, V n at n
If your attention, emotions, or actions are directed at a particular person or thing, you are focusing them on that person or thing.
The learner's attention needs to be directed to the significant features...
Do not be surprised if, initially, she directs her anger at you...
= focus
8 [VERB] be V-ed towards n, be V-ed at n, V n at n
If a remark or look is directed at you, someone says something to you or looks at you.
She could hardly believe the question was directed towards her...
The abuse was directed at the TV crews...
Arnold directed a meaningful look at Irma.
9 [VERB] V n to n
If you direct someone somewhere, you tell them how to get there.
Could you direct them to Dr Lamont's office, please?...
10 [VERB] V n
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.
● direction [N-UNCOUNT]
Organizations need clear direction...
11 [VERB] V n, V
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...
...Miss Birkin's long-held ambition to direct as well as act.
12 [VERB] be V-ed to-inf, V n to-inf
If you are directed to do something, someone in authority tells you to do it. (FORMAL)
They have been directed to give special attention to the problem of poverty...
The Bishop directed the faithful to stay at home.
13 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you are a direct descendant of someone, you are related to them through your parents and your grandparents and so on.
She is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria.
14
see also direction, directlydi|rect ac|tion
[N-UNCOUNT]
Direct action involves doing something such as going on strike or demonstrating in order to put pressure on an employer or government to do what you want, instead of trying to talk to them.di|rect cur|rent (direct currents)
[N-VAR]
A direct current is an electric current that always flows in the same direction. The abbreviation DC is also used.
Some kinds of batteries can be recharged by connecting them to a source of direct current.di|rect deb|it (direct debits)
[N-VAR]
If you pay a bill by direct debit, you give permission for the company who is owed money to transfer the correct amount from your bank account into theirs, usually every month. (mainly BRIT)
Switch to paying your mortgage by direct debit.di|rect dis|course
[N-UNCOUNT]
In grammar, direct discourse is speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use direct speech)di|rect hit (direct hits)
[N-COUNT]
If a place suffers a direct hit, a bomb, bullet, or other missile that has been aimed at it lands exactly in that place, rather than some distance away.
The dug-outs were secure from everything but a direct hit.di|rect mail
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Direct mail is a method of marketing which involves companies sending advertising material directly to people who they think may be interested in their products. (BUSINESS)
...efforts to solicit new customers by direct mail and television advertising...di|rect mar|ket|ing
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Direct marketing is the same as direct mail. (BUSINESS)
The direct marketing industry has become adept at packaging special offers.di|rect ob|ject (direct objects)
[N-COUNT]
In grammar, the direct object of a transitive verb is the noun group which refers to someone or something directly affected by or involved in the action performed by the subject. For example, in `I saw him yesterday', `him' is the direct object. Compare indirect object.
= objectdi|rect rule
[N-UNCOUNT]
Direct rule is a system in which a central government rules an area which has had its own parliament or law-making organization in the past.di|rect speech
[N-UNCOUNT]
In grammar, direct speech is speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use direct discourse)di|rect tax (direct taxes)
[N-COUNT]
A direct tax is a tax which a person or organization pays directly to the government, for example income tax.di|rect taxa|tion
[N-UNCOUNT]
Direct taxation is a system in which a government raises money by means of direct taxes.
1 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
Direct means moving towards a place or object, without changing direction and without stopping, for example in a journey.
They'd come on a direct flight from Athens.
≠ indirect
[ADV] ADV after v
Direct is also an adverb.
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] ADJ n
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.
Medicines should be stored away from direct sunlight...
3 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
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.
He has direct experience of the process of privatisation...
He seemed to be in direct contact with the Boss...
[ADV] ADV after v
Direct is also an adverb.
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] usu ADJ n
You use direct to emphasize the closeness of a connection between two things.
They were unable to prove that she died as a direct result of his injection...
≠ indirect
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.
He avoided giving a direct answer...
≠ indirect
● 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] V n at/towards/on n
If you direct something at a particular thing, you aim or point it at that thing.
I directed the extinguisher at the fire without effect...
= aim
7 [VERB] be V-ed to/towards n/-ing, V n at n
If your attention, emotions, or actions are directed at a particular person or thing, you are focusing them on that person or thing.
The learner's attention needs to be directed to the significant features...
Do not be surprised if, initially, she directs her anger at you...
= focus
8 [VERB] be V-ed towards n, be V-ed at n, V n at n
If a remark or look is directed at you, someone says something to you or looks at you.
She could hardly believe the question was directed towards her...
The abuse was directed at the TV crews...
Arnold directed a meaningful look at Irma.
9 [VERB] V n to n
If you direct someone somewhere, you tell them how to get there.
Could you direct them to Dr Lamont's office, please?...
10 [VERB] V n
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.
● direction [N-UNCOUNT]
Organizations need clear direction...
11 [VERB] V n, V
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...
...Miss Birkin's long-held ambition to direct as well as act.
12 [VERB] be V-ed to-inf, V n to-inf
If you are directed to do something, someone in authority tells you to do it. (FORMAL)
They have been directed to give special attention to the problem of poverty...
The Bishop directed the faithful to stay at home.
13 [ADJ] ADJ n
If you are a direct descendant of someone, you are related to them through your parents and your grandparents and so on.
She is a direct descendant of Queen Victoria.
14
see also direction, directlydi|rect ac|tion
[N-UNCOUNT]
Direct action involves doing something such as going on strike or demonstrating in order to put pressure on an employer or government to do what you want, instead of trying to talk to them.di|rect cur|rent (direct currents)
[N-VAR]
A direct current is an electric current that always flows in the same direction. The abbreviation DC is also used.
Some kinds of batteries can be recharged by connecting them to a source of direct current.di|rect deb|it (direct debits)
[N-VAR]
If you pay a bill by direct debit, you give permission for the company who is owed money to transfer the correct amount from your bank account into theirs, usually every month. (mainly BRIT)
Switch to paying your mortgage by direct debit.di|rect dis|course
[N-UNCOUNT]
In grammar, direct discourse is speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used. (mainly AM; in BRIT, usually use direct speech)di|rect hit (direct hits)
[N-COUNT]
If a place suffers a direct hit, a bomb, bullet, or other missile that has been aimed at it lands exactly in that place, rather than some distance away.
The dug-outs were secure from everything but a direct hit.di|rect mail
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Direct mail is a method of marketing which involves companies sending advertising material directly to people who they think may be interested in their products. (BUSINESS)
...efforts to solicit new customers by direct mail and television advertising...di|rect mar|ket|ing
[N-UNCOUNT] oft N n
Direct marketing is the same as direct mail. (BUSINESS)
The direct marketing industry has become adept at packaging special offers.di|rect ob|ject (direct objects)
[N-COUNT]
In grammar, the direct object of a transitive verb is the noun group which refers to someone or something directly affected by or involved in the action performed by the subject. For example, in `I saw him yesterday', `him' is the direct object. Compare indirect object.
= objectdi|rect rule
[N-UNCOUNT]
Direct rule is a system in which a central government rules an area which has had its own parliament or law-making organization in the past.di|rect speech
[N-UNCOUNT]
In grammar, direct speech is speech which is reported by using the exact words that the speaker used. (mainly BRIT; in AM, usually use direct discourse)di|rect tax (direct taxes)
[N-COUNT]
A direct tax is a tax which a person or organization pays directly to the government, for example income tax.di|rect taxa|tion
[N-UNCOUNT]
Direct taxation is a system in which a government raises money by means of direct taxes.