directly

About 79.68 uses per million words.

Meaning

1. adverb In a direct manner; in a straight line or course.

   He drove directly to the office, and didn't stop off at the petrol station.

2. adverb In a straightforward way; without anything intervening; not by secondary but by direct means.

   I'm sick of asking you to fire him; I'll just do it directly.

3. adverb Plainly, without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in express terms.

   I'm going to tell Natalie directly that I love her.

4. adverb Exactly; just; at the shortest possible distance.

   It's directly across the street.

5. adverb Straightforwardly; honestly.

   He told me directly that he'd cheated on me, and how sorry he was for it.

6. adverb Immediately.
7. adverb Soon; next; in due time; as soon as it becomes convenient.

   We'll go to the store directly, but first I need to finish sweeping.

8. conjunction As soon as; immediately (elliptical for directly that/as/when).

Similar words

direct straight instantly forthwith immediately right away now at once flat straightaway

Often followed by

to from or in with into on related by