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
Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
Consumers would be able to use digital money issued directly by the Fed in addition to cash.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Many of the deaths were believed to be directly hypothermia-related.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The president's party appears unlikely to directly challenge him, even as the conflict drags on.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
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Adverb
The probability of lightning strikes rises as a thunderstorm approaches and peaks when the storm is directly above.
—Nc Weather Bot, Charlotte Observer, 22 Mar. 2026
Consumers would be able to use digital money issued directly by the Fed in addition to cash.
—Zach Halaschak, The Washington Examiner, 22 Mar. 2026
Many of the deaths were believed to be directly hypothermia-related.
—Matthew Villafane, CBS News, 22 Mar. 2026
The president's party appears unlikely to directly challenge him, even as the conflict drags on.
—Arkansas Online, 22 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 27 Mar. 2026.
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