direct

Universal Words adjective, verb, adverb adjective nobody / nothing in between 1 [usuallybeforenoun] happening or done without involving other people, actions, etc. in between: They are in direct contact with the hijackers. * His death was a direct result of your action. * She has direct responsibility for all new trainees. * We are looking for somebody with direct experience of this type of work. * This information has a direct bearing on (= it is closely connected with) the case. * They see a direct link between the money supply and prices. OPPINDIRECT journey / route 2 going in the straightest line between two places without stopping or changing direction: the most direct route / course * a direct flight (= a flight that does not stop) * There's a direct train to Leeds (= it may stop at other stations but you do not have to change trains). * a direct hit (= a hit that is accurate and does not touch sth else first) OPPINDIRECT heat / light 3 [onlybeforenoun] with nothing between sth and the source of the heat or light: Protect your child from direct sunlight by using a sunscreen. exact 4 [onlybeforenoun] exact: That's the direct opposite of what you told me yesterday. * a direct quote (= one using a person's exact words) saying what you mean 5 saying exactly what you mean in a way that nobody can pretend not to understand: a direct answer / question * You'll have to get used to his direct manner. * She has a very direct way of speaking. * I prefer a more direct approach. OPPINDIRECT relationship 6 [onlybeforenoun] related through parents and children rather than brothers, sisters, aunts, etc: a direct descendant of the country's first president * With his death, the direct male line of the House of Capet came to an end. OPPINDIRECT verb aim 1 [VN] ~ sth to / towards sth/sb