direct

Going straight to a place without extra stops or a longer route.

• Is there a direct train?
• We took the most direct route home.
• There are no direct flights to that island.

Similar words: straight, nonstop

Opposites: indirect

Common phrases: direct flight, direct route, direct train, direct connection

Related through parents and children in one family line, rather than through brothers, sisters, or cousins.

• She is his direct descendant.
• We traced our direct ancestors back five generations.
• The title passes through the direct line of the family.

Similar words: lineal

Opposites: collateral

Common phrases: direct descendant, direct ancestor, direct line

By the shortest route or without another person, place, or stage in between.

• We flew direct to Rome.
• You can buy direct from the factory.
• She went direct to the manager with her complaint.

How to use it: direct from someone/something (We buy our vegetables direct from the farm.); direct to someone/something (The bus goes direct to the airport.)

Similar words: directly, straight

Opposites: indirectly

Common phrases: fly direct, buy direct, go direct

To guide the actors and other workers who make a film, play, or television show.

• She wants to direct films.
• He directed our school play.
• Who directed that television series?

Common phrases: direct a film, direct a play, direct actors

To be in charge of an organization or activity and decide how it should work.

• She directs the research team.
• He directed the investigation last year.
• Who will direct the new project?

Similar words: manage, lead, oversee

Common phrases: direct a project, direct an investigation, direct operations, direct movements

To point or send something toward a particular place or person.

• Direct the light at the door.
• She directed her camera towards the birds.
• He directed his attention to the final question.

How to use it: direct something at/towards something (He directed the light towards the doorway.); direct something to something (She directed her attention to the noise upstairs.)

Similar words: aim, point

Common phrases: direct a light, direct attention, direct a camera, direct fire

To officially tell someone what they must do.

• The officer directed us to wait outside.
• The court directed that the records be released.
• Staff were directed to report all accidents.

How to use it: direct someone to do something (The judge directed the witness to answer.); direct that… (She directed that the money be given to the school.)

Similar words: instruct, order

Common phrases: direct someone, direct that something, as someone direct