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to direct

to direct

567 3.7
To lead people in a performance or project
  • verb
  • /dəˈrɛkt/
: dirigir
  • The film studio hired her to direct their next blockbuster after her previous successes.
  • teacher-directed
  • self-directed
  • directed learning

You can't guide and direct and control, right?

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Examples

  • During the rehearsal, the conductor will direct the orchestra to create a stunning performance.

  • You can't guide and direct and control, right?

  • What I can do is choose to direct my energy elsewhere.

  • Often, students in the area of science are directed to acquire information from a chart or table.

    Academic text (2015)
  • They hired me to direct a lot of their stuff.

  • Pathfinders support teachers by providing online guides to direct students to pertinent and high-quality resources.

    Academic text (2015)
  • As the project manager, I will direct the team to ensure we meet our deadlines.

Synonyms

to head
vsto direct
∞ 1.0

To move in a particular direction, often toward a place

involves managing people and projects rather than only being physically ahead
to lead
vsto direct
∞ 1.0

To guide a group or be in charge

focuses more on managing people and projects than on being at the front
to guide
vsto direct
260 1.0

To show someone the way by going with them

involves authority and control over people and projects rather than just escorting
to steer
vsto direct
241 1.6

To guide the direction of something, like a car or a conversation

is broader, adding full management and control of people and projects
to organize
vsto direct
  • US
194 1.6

Arrange people, things, and activities so they work well

includes managing and controlling overall performance not only arranging activities
to engineer
vsto direct
170 4.1

To plan or arrange something carefully using skill

focuses on technical design and creation rather than managing people and performance
to orchestrate
vsto direct
100 7.1

To organize and direct the parts of a large plan or event

adds ongoing responsibility for managing people and project control beyond arranging parts
to maneuver
vsto direct
  • US
54 5.8

To move a vehicle, thing, or group skillfully to a new position

focuses on tactical movement and advantage rather than overall management
guiding
vsto direct
39 3.0

Giving direction and help to show people what to do or where to go

involves active management and control rather than only advising or influencing
to conduct
vsto direct
37 6.1

To lead a group of musicians like an orchestra or choir

is a general managerial term used across fields beyond musical settings
to mastermind
vsto direct
21 7.4

To plan and direct a secret, difficult activity that is often illegal

is general management of people and projects, not limited to secret plans
directing
vsto direct
6 3.5

Giving guidance and showing the way

is broader, covering overall management and control of people and projects
to manoeuver
vsto direct
2 5.8

To move something or someone carefully to get a better position

is about managing people and projects, not only clever moves for gain
to channelize
vsto direct
  • US
1 7.9

To direct water or other flow into a channel to control it

applies to guiding people and projects broadly, not only confined physical flow
to stage direct
vsto direct
1 6.8

To lead actors and decide how a play looks on stage

covers wider project management and control beyond only theatrical artistic choices

Antonyms

189 3.8

Fail to care for someone or something you should look after

Phrasal Verbs

To guide cars and people so they move safely through an intersection

To lead actors and decide how a play looks on stage

Compounds

direct evidence
  • Specialized
20 3.2

Proof that clearly shows a fact is true, such as an eyewitness report

direct action
  • Jargon
16 5.5

A protest where people act directly, for example by blocking a road or factory, to reach their goals

14 3.2

Printed ads sent by post to possible customers

A plane journey between two places that may stop but uses the same plane

direct correlation
  • Specialized
6 4.2

A relationship where two things increase or decrease together

A way of sending advertising messages directly to individual customers, for example by email

5 6.5

A lawyer asking questions of a witness they called before the other side asks questions

direct tax
  • Specialized
5 4.2

A tax that a person or business pays directly to the government, not added to the price of goods

direct cost
  • Specialized
5 3.4

A cost you can put on a single project, like materials or wages

direct current
  • Specialized
4 3.5

An electric flow that moves steadily in one direction, for example from a battery

3 3.5

A loan a lender gives straight to a borrower without a middle person

3 4.6

Money from a company or person in one country used to buy and control a business in another country

Help given by a company or maker straight to a customer

A clear and strong difference between two things

direct fire
  • Specialized
2 7.7

Shooting at a target you can see with weapons like a tank or rifle

1 7.4

Help from one military unit to another that answers the other unit's requests for help

The exact words someone said or wrote shown in quotation marks

direct proof
  • Specialized
1 6.6

A way to show something is true by using known facts and simple logical steps

direct traffic
  • Texting
1 3.8

Visits to a website that come from people typing the address or using a bookmark

A word or group of words that names people and things and receives the action of a verb

1 8.6

A U.S. military kit that turns a regular bomb dropped from a plane into a precise guided bomb

direct transmission
  • Specialized
1 3.7

Spread of infection from one person to another when someone touches or coughs on them

1 3.6

An electric flow that moves in one direction and does not reverse

1 6.2

A primary election where voters choose candidates instead of party officials

A person or company that sends ads by mail to sell things

direct sum
  • Specialized
1 8.7

A way of joining two sets or spaces so each new item has one part from each

1 5.5

An engine that sends diesel fuel straight into the part where it burns to use less fuel

direct dye
  • Specialized
1 5.4

A dye that colours cotton and similar fabrics without using a fixing chemical

direct trust
  • Formal
1 6.7

An arrangement set up by people on purpose, often in writing, to control money and property

direct discourse
  • Specialized
1 6.3

Repeating the exact words someone said or thought, usually in quote marks

1 5.2

A diesel engine that injects fuel directly into the chamber where it burns

A word that means the exact opposite of another word

direct bill of lading
  • Specialized
8.9

A paper showing the goods stay on the same ship without transfer

Fire from guns or artillery that helps one group of soldiers during combat

direct tide
  • Specialized
8.4

A high water level on the side of Earth facing the moon

8.9

A former UK school that charged fees but accepted some students funded by the local council

How Controlling

to control
∞ 2.4
to direct
567 3.7
to supervise
143 3.5
to guide
260 1.0
to advise
517 2.2

Surface Forms

direct infinitive
directed past
directed past participle
directing present participle
directs third person singular

Etymology

Direct comes from the old Latin verb dirigere, built from de- and regere, which together give the image of 'guiding straight'. That's why to direct people or a project is to guide their actions clearly, just like a director guides a play.