Directed

/daɪˈrektɪd/

verbBeginner🔥Very CommonAction
3 meanings2 idioms/phrases4 questions

Definitions

3 meanings
1

To control, manage, or guide the course of something.

/daɪˈrektɪd/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To control the operations of; to manage

The teacher directed the students to complete the assignment.

💡 Simply: Like a boss who tells people what to do, or a GPS that shows you which way to go. It's about guiding or controlling something, like a project, a movie, or even your thoughts!

👶 For kids: To tell someone or something what to do, like a teacher directing a play.

More Examples

2

The president directed the military to mobilize.

3

The project manager directed the team's efforts.

How It's Used

Business

"The CEO directed the company's new marketing strategy."

Film/Theater

"The director directed the actors to their positions on stage."

2

To point or aim something, such as a gaze, a weapon, or an action, towards a particular target or objective.

/daɪˈrektɪd/

verbneutralBeginner
Action

To aim or point something in a specific direction

The detective directed his attention to the clues at the crime scene.

💡 Simply: To point or aim something. Imagine you’re pointing your finger to where you want to go, or the camera is directed towards the bird.

👶 For kids: To point something, like your eyes or a toy, at something.

More Examples

2

The security guard directed the traffic.

3

The arrow was directed straight at the target.

How It's Used

Communication

"She directed her question towards the speaker."

Military

"The soldiers directed their fire at the enemy."

Tip:Picture a flashlight shining its beam to direct the path.
3

Controlled, managed, or guided toward a specific purpose or goal.

/daɪˈrektɪd/

adjectiveneutralmedium
Descriptive

Guided or managed in a particular way; instructed

The directed study program helped the students master the material.

💡 Simply: When something is 'directed', it means someone is telling it what to do or where to go. Imagine a movie – the director is telling the actors what to say and where to stand, that is directed.

👶 For kids: Told what to do or where to go.

More Examples

2

The organization's efforts were directed towards helping the homeless.

3

The directed approach to the experiment led to a controlled outcome.

How It's Used

Legal

"The directed verdict was based on insufficient evidence."

Management

"The project was carried out under directed supervision."

Tip:Think of a well-directed movie: everything is planned and purposeful.

Idioms & expressions

be directed to

To be sent or addressed to a specific person or location.

"All complaints should be directed to the customer service department."

direct attention to

To focus or draw notice towards something.

"The article directs attention to the issue of climate change."

From Latin *dīrectus*, past participle of *dīrigere* 'to set straight, guide'.

Used since the 14th century, initially referring to the act of guiding or controlling.

Memory tip

Think of a conductor directing an orchestra.

Word Origin

LanguageLatin
Original meaning

"to set straight, guide"

directed atdirected towardsdirected towell-directedpoorly directed

Common misspellings

directteddireckteddiercted

Usage

60%Spoken
40%Written