Directive
/dɪˈrektɪv/
Definitions
2 meaningsAn official instruction issued by an authority or management.
/dɪˈrektɪv/
An official instruction or order.
The company's new directive required all employees to work from home.
💡 Simply: A directive is like when your boss at work sends an email with instructions everyone *has* to follow. It's a formal way of telling people what to do, and usually comes from someone in charge.
👶 For kids: A directive is like a rule from the boss that everyone has to follow!
More Examples
The military followed the general's directive without question.
The directive from the board of directors was to cut expenses by 10%.
How It's Used
"The government issued a directive on environmental protection."
"The CEO sent out a directive regarding the new company policy."
Serving or intended to guide or give directions; instructive.
/dɪˈrektɪv/
Serving or intended to give direction or guidance.
The company's directive policies ensured the employees understood the company's goals.
💡 Simply: When something is directive, it's like it's giving you directions or telling you what to do. It's like a sign that points the way, or instructions that tell you how to build something.
👶 For kids: Something that tells you what to do or how to go.
More Examples
The document offered a directive approach to solving the problem.
The team was given a directive manual on how to solve the problems.
How It's Used
"The judge gave the jury directive instructions on the case."
"The teacher provided a directive curriculum for the students."
Idioms & expressions
to issue a directive
To formally announce or give an order or instruction.
"The CEO issued a directive to all departments regarding the budget cuts."
From Late Latin *directivus*, from *directus* 'directed'. The word entered English in the mid-19th century.
The word has appeared in legal and governmental contexts since the mid-19th century, initially referring to administrative or legislative instructions.
Memory tip
Think of a 'director' giving an 'instruction'.