directly

Everyday

1. Directly means going straight to a place or person, without stopping or turning off. tree →
2. Directly means with nothing or nobody in between, like talking directly to someone. tree →
3. Directly means exactly, like directly opposite or directly above. tree →
4. Directly (mainly British, a bit old-fashioned) means immediately or very soon. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and maps, «directly» tells exact position: directly above, directly below, directly opposite. In science: never look directly at the Sun; it can damage your eyes. In safety: «Come directly home after school» means without stopping anywhere else. In maths relationships, «directly proportional» means as one amount goes up, the other goes up at the same rate. Phrases: «directly opposite», «directly above», «speak directly to», «go directly to».

Examples

• Never look directly at the Sun. tree →
• The library is directly opposite the school. tree →
• Come directly home after the club. tree →
• You can ask the teacher directly. tree →
• The light is directly above the table. tree →
• Rain fell directly into the bucket. tree →
• The bus goes directly to the station. tree →
• I'll be there directly. tree →
• A large yellow sun hung directly overhead. tree →

Note

Adjective: «direct». Opposite: «indirectly». «Directly» means «straight», not «at once» in most of the world; in Ireland and the UK older speakers may say «I'll do it directly» to mean «soon».

In Jewish tradition

It means "at once." The story shows God asking whether He should hide from Abraham what He is about to do.

Interpretation. The midrash pictures God consulting the Torah before acting. It teaches that God shares His plans with those He loves, like Abraham.

Examples

• Thou hast a beloved one in the world, wilt thou conceal anythinij from him ?" Directly, the Holy On blessed be He said, 'Shall I conceal from Abraham?' and consulted the Torah. (Mordell, The Origin of Letters and Numerals according to Sefer Yetzirah (1914)) tree →

Note

Adjective: «direct». Opposite: «indirectly». «Directly» means «straight», not «at once» in most of the world; in Ireland and the UK older speakers may say «I'll do it directly» to mean «soon».