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. CroftsSynonyms
Examples 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
Omer Awan, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
However, policies such as import tariffs and mass deportation could negatively impact housing prices, as these factors directly affect labor and material costs—two major inputs in the housing industry.
—Robert Thorpe, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Helaine Williams, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
The bright moon will be directly overhead around midnight and then sink into the western horizon by sunrise, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said on its website.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for directly 
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Adverb
In addition, having air humidifiers and purifiers can help circulate good quality air to minimize the risk of poor quality air that is directly breathed into the lungs.
—Omer Awan, Forbes, 11 Jan. 2025
However, policies such as import tariffs and mass deportation could negatively impact housing prices, as these factors directly affect labor and material costs—two major inputs in the housing industry.
—Robert Thorpe, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Associated Press text, photo, graphic, audio and/or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium.
—Helaine Williams, arkansasonline.com, 11 Jan. 2025
The bright moon will be directly overhead around midnight and then sink into the western horizon by sunrise, the Old Farmer’s Almanac said on its website.
—Hannah Poukish, Sacramento Bee, 11 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for directly
Dictionary Entries Near directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 21 Jan. 2025.
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