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 WebIshani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 5 June 2024
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2024
For outdoor cooking, place the kale mixture directly onto the grill or on a grill pan over medium to low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until charred.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2024
According to the brand, users can also spray the mist directly onto their face, holding the can about 12 inches away.
—Clint Davis, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for directly 
Adverb
Officers were called after 4 a.m. Monday to the 500 block of I Street, in front of bail bond offices directly across from the Robert T. Matsui United States Courthouse.
—Ishani Desai, Sacramento Bee, 5 June 2024
The likelihood of lightning increases as a thunderstorm gets closer and reaches its highest point when the storm is directly overhead.
—Star-Telegram Bot, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 June 2024
For outdoor cooking, place the kale mixture directly onto the grill or on a grill pan over medium to low heat for 1 to 2 minutes until charred.
—Caron Golden, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 June 2024
According to the brand, users can also spray the mist directly onto their face, holding the can about 12 inches away.
—Clint Davis, Peoplemag, 4 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for directly
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'directly.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near directly
Cite this Entry
“Directly.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/directly. Accessed 8 Jun. 2024.
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