If something is directly above, below, or in front of something, it is in exactly that position.
The second rainbow will be bigger than the first, and directly above it.
There, directly below me, was a guy holding the ball.
The naked bulb was directly over his head.
They are sleeping in the carpenter's shop directly above.
2. adverb
If you do one action directlyafter another, you do the second action as soon as the first one is finished.
Directly after the meeting, a senior cabinet minister spoke to the BBC.
Directly after lunch we were packed and ready to go.
Directly following this treatment, he had a hollow, empty feeling in his stomach.
3. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If something happens directly, it happens without any delay.
[British, old-fashioned]
He will be there directly.
Synonyms: at once, presently, soon, quickly More Synonyms of directly
4. See also direct
More Synonyms of directly
directly in British English
(dɪˈrɛktlɪ, daɪ-)
adverb
1.
in a direct manner
2.
at once; without delay
3. (foll bybefore or after)
immediately; just
conjunction
4. (subordinating)
as soon as
we left directly the money arrived
directly in American English
(dəˈrɛktli; also daɪˈrɛktli)
adverb
1.
in a direct way or line; straight
2.
with nothing or no one between
directly responsible
3.
exactly; completely
directly opposite
4.
a.
instantly; right away
b.
fairly soon; shortly
conjunction
5. Chiefly British
as soon as
Examples of 'directly' in a sentence
directly
And where do we stand legally regarding the vent, as it directly affects our property?
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
How we feel about certain diseases matters, because it directly affects the amount of research funding they get.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
All of them may or may not be directly involved in the murder and there are six episodes to figure out who and how and why.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
Tell him you realise he meant well but in future, he should make sure you're happy with plans that affect you so directly.
The Sun (2016)
The player has not been directly involved in the talks as he has remained focused on gaining full fitness after a two-month lay-off with an ankle problem.
The Sun (2016)
You may save money by dealing directly with insurers.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
So exercising directly after a large meal puts extra strain on the heart.
Wallace, Louise M & Bundy, Christine Coping with Angina (1990)
This may involve refusing to discuss the issues with any party other than the one directly involved.
Christianity Today (2000)
They are still eyeing automatic promotion and take on the team directly below them in the table.
The Sun (2015)
Investment banks could also fail without directly damaging depositors.
Times, Sunday Times (2011)
We did try a bit harder with the couple who lived directly above us.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
He can appeal and will not go directly to jail.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
Such changes may not be welcomed by those most directly affected.
Piercy, Nigel Market-led Strategic Change (1991)
You can also speak directly to an expert.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
It did not matter whether the arrangements for payment were made directly or indirectly.
Times, Sunday Times (2006)
The first involves buying directly from companies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
This bank would not lend money directly to businesses but attempt to package up and sell loans.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
The partner must have been directly involved in the audit or in the chain of command.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The pictures are intended to be placed on two columns directly below the main dome.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
She found one burning bright directly above her.
Tracy Chevalier Burning Bright (2007)
Any complaints should in the first instance go directly to the outlet.
The Sun (2012)
Most people have not yet been directly affected by redundancies.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
S&N is also expected to allow its shareholders to speak directly to its legal advisers.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It would have been easier to give that money directly to people in tax credits or higher welfare.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Piece work payments often make up a portion of the wages of a person who is directly involved in manufacturing.
Chapman, C. & Horsley, M. & Small, E. Technology Basic Facts (1990)
It happened directly after my marriage.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
First, talk directly and calmly with your architect.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Now they can go directly after tax dodgers' cash.
The Sun (2014)
But while rewards are uncontroversial, paying money to anyone directly or indirectly involved withthe original theft is anything but.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
In other languages
directly
British English: directly /dɪˈrɛktlɪ; daɪ-/ ADVERB
If you go somewhere directly, you go there without changing direction and without stopping.
I flew directly from Istanbul to New York.
American English: directly
Arabic: مُبَاشَرَةً
Brazilian Portuguese: diretamente
Chinese: 直接地
Croatian: izravno
Czech: přímo
Danish: direkte
Dutch: rechtstreeks
European Spanish: directamente
Finnish: suoraan
French: directement
German: direkt
Greek: κατευθείαν
Italian: direttamente
Japanese: 直接に
Korean: 직접
Norwegian: direkte
Polish: bezpośrednio
European Portuguese: diretamente
Romanian: direct
Russian: прямо
Latin American Spanish: directamente
Swedish: direkt
Thai: โดยตรง
Turkish: doğrudan doğruya
Ukrainian: прямо
Vietnamese: một cách trực tiếp
Chinese translation of 'directly'
directly
(dɪˈrɛktlɪ)
adv
directly above/below/in front etc正上/下/前方等 (zhèng shàng/xià/qiánfāng děng)
(= straight)[go, fly]径(徑)直地 (jìngzhí de)
(= at once) 立即 (lìjí)
(= as a direct result) 直接地 (zhíjiē de)
1 (adverb)
Definition
in a direct manner
The plane will fly the stranded tourists directly back home.
Synonyms
straight
Straight ahead were the low cabins of the motel.
unswervingly
without deviation
by the shortest route
in a beeline
2 (adverb)
Definition
immediately or very soon
Directly after the meeting, an official appealed on television.
Synonyms
immediately
She answered his message immediately.
promptly
She lay down and promptly fell asleep.
instantly
Allergic reactions can be treated instantly with antihistamines.
right away
I want to see you right away.
straightaway
I should go and see a doctor straight away.
speedily
This review is being conducted as speedily as possible.
instantaneously
Airbags inflate instantaneously on impact.
pronto (informal)
pdq (slang)
3 (adverb)
Definition
at once
He'll be there directly.
Synonyms
at once
I must go at once.
presently
Just take it easy and you'll feel better presently.
soon
quickly
The meeting quickly adjourned.
as soon as possible
in a second
straightaway
forthwith
I could have you arrested forthwith!
posthaste
The pilot decided to return to Farnborough post haste.
4 (adverb)
Definition
in a direct manner
We could do nothing directly to help them.
Synonyms
in person
She collected the award in person.
personally
The minister will answer the allegations personally.
at first hand
I heard all about it first-hand.
5 (adverb)
Definition
in a direct manner
She explained simply and directly what she hoped to achieve.
Synonyms
honestly
It came as a shock to hear him talk so honestly about an old friend.
openly
Many people want to talk openly about their experiences.
frankly
The leaders have been speaking frankly about their problems.
plainly
Few of our political leaders are willing to talk plainly about the crisis.
face-to-face
overtly
point-blank
Mr Patterson was asked point-blank if he would resign.
unequivocally
truthfully
candidly
unreservedly
straightforwardly
straight from the shoulder (informal)
I want you to give me the truth, straight from the shoulder.
without prevarication
Additional synonyms
in the sense of at first hand
Definition
directly
I heard all about it first-hand.
Synonyms
directly,
personally,
immediately,
face-to-face,
straight from the horse's mouth
in the sense of forthwith
Definition
at once
I could have you arrested forthwith!
Synonyms
immediately,
directly,
instantly,
at once,
right away,
straightaway,
without delay,
tout de suite,
quickly
in the sense of frankly
The leaders have been speaking frankly about their problems.