adverb
- in a direct line, way, or manner; straight: The path leads directly to the lake.
- at once; without delay; immediately: Do that directly.
- shortly; soon: They will be here directly.
- exactly; precisely: directly opposite the store.
- without intervening space; next in order: The truck was parked directly behind my car.
- openly or frankly; candidly: He didn’t hesitate to speak directly about his debts.
- Mathematics. in direct proportion.
conjunction
- as soon as: Directly he arrived, he mentioned the subject.
adverb
- in a direct manner
- at once; without delay
- (foll by before or after) immediately; just
conjunction
- (subordinating) as soon aswe left directly the money arrived
1510s, “in a straight line,” from direct (adj.) + -ly (2). Figurative use is slightly earlier (c.1500). Meaning “at once, immediately in time” (c.1600) is from earlier sense of “without intermediate steps” (1520s).