di·rect·ly
də-ˈrek(t)-lē 
dī-,
in sense 2 especially də-ˈrek-lē,
or ˈdrek-lē
1
a
: in a direct manner
directly relevant
the road runs directly east and west
b
: in immediate physical contact
c
: in the manner of direct variation
2
a
: without delay : immediately
the second game followed directly after the first
b
: in a little while : shortly
we'll be leaving directly
di·rect·ly
də-ˈrek(t)-lē
dī-;
ˈdrek-lē
chiefly British
: immediately after : as soon as
directly I received it I rang up the shipping company—
F. W. Crofts
F. W. CroftsExamples of directly in a Sentence
Adverb
He refused to answer the question directly.
She said that she wanted to speak to you directly.
The package will be sent directly to your home.
The two accidents are directly related.
Thousands of people were directly affected by the disaster.
Antonyms are words that are directly opposite in meaning.
We parked directly behind the store.
He sat directly across from me at the dinner table.
Conjunction
I came directly I received your message.
Recent Examples on the Web
Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The skit also directly poked fun at Wood’s teeth, which later prompted SNL cast member Sarah Sherman, who portrayed Wood, to send Wood flowers and an apology.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
But neither directly addressed a link between GLP-1 drugs and an altered sense of smell.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Apr. 2025
In a break from past practice, the government appears to be revoking student visas directly, without warning or due process, attorneys say.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
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Adverb
Over the past few years, the women have rarely spoken directly to one another on social media, but there have been a few references that fight fans could take as under-the-radar jabs from both sides.
—Brian Mazique, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025
The skit also directly poked fun at Wood’s teeth, which later prompted SNL cast member Sarah Sherman, who portrayed Wood, to send Wood flowers and an apology.
—Mathew Rodriguez, Them., 17 Apr. 2025
But neither directly addressed a link between GLP-1 drugs and an altered sense of smell.
—Kara Nesvig, Allure, 17 Apr. 2025
In a break from past practice, the government appears to be revoking student visas directly, without warning or due process, attorneys say.
—Hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 17 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.
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