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di·rec·tive noun : something that directs and usu. impels toward an action or goal; especially : an order issued by a high-level body or official

Synonyms

decree, edict, fiat, ruling—more at EDICT

behest, charge, command, commandment, decree, dictate, direction, edict, instruction, order, word—more at COMMAND

di·rect·ly adverb 1 : in a direct manner

2 : without delay

Synonyms

[1] dead, direct, due, plump, right, straight

Antonyms

indirectly

[2] forthwith, immediately, instantly, now, promptly, pronto, right away, right now—more at IMMEDIATELY

direct mail noun : printed matter used for soliciting business or contributions and mailed direct to individuals

di·rect·ness noun 1 : the character of being accurate in course or aim

2 : strict pertinence : FORTHRIGHTNESS

Synonyms

candor, forthrightness, frankness, openness, plainness—more at CANDOR

di·rec·tor noun 1 : one that directs : MANAGER

2 : one of a group of persons who direct the affairs of an organized body

— di·rec·tor·ship noun

Synonyms

administrator, executive, manager, superintendent, supervisor—more at EXECUTIVE

di·rec·tor·ate noun 1 : the office or position of director

2 : a board of directors; also : membership on such a board

3 : an executive staff

di·rec·to·ri·al adjective : serving to direct

Synonyms

executive, managerial, supervisory—more at EXECUTIVE

director's cut noun : a version of a motion picture that is edited according to the director's wishes

di·rec·to·ry noun, plural -ries : an alphabetical or classified list esp. of names and addresses

dire·ful adjective 1 : causing great and oppressive fear : DREADFUL

2 : OMINOUS

dirge noun : a song of lamentation; also : a slow mournful piece of music

Synonyms

elegy, lament, requiem, threnody—more at LAMENT

di·ri·gi·ble noun : AIRSHIP

dirk noun : DAGGER 1

dirndl noun [ORIGIN: short for G Dirndlkleid, fr. G dial. Dirndl girl + G Kleid dress]

: a full skirt with a tight waistband

dirt noun 1 : a filthy or soiling substance (as mud, dust, or grime)

2 : loose or packed earth : SOIL

3 : moral uncleanness

4 : scandalous gossip

5 : embarrassing or incriminating information

Synonyms

[1] filth, grime, muck, smut, soil—more at FILTH

[2] earth, ground, soil; also clay, dust, gravel, humus, loam, loess, marl, mud, sand, silt, subsoil, topsoil

dirt·i·ness noun : the quality or state of being dirty

Synonyms

dinginess, filthiness, foulness, grubbiness, nastiness, uncleanliness; also impurity; shabbiness; squalor

Antonyms

cleanliness

1dirty adjective dirt·i·er; -est 1 : not clean : SOILED

2 : morally unclean or corrupt : INDECENT <~ jokes>

3 a : lacking honor : BASE

b : not characteristic of or exhibiting good sportsmanship

4 : relating to, characterized by, or indicative of a storm <~ weather>

5 : not clear in color : DULL

— dirty adverb

Synonyms

[1] dusty, filthy, foul, grubby, grungy, mucky, muddy, nasty, smutty, soiled, sordid, unclean; also contaminated, defiled, impure, polluted, tainted; uncleaned, unsanitary, unsterile, unwashed; discolored; bedraggled; chaotic, cluttered, confused, disarranged, disheveled, disordered, jumbled, littered, messed, messy, muddled, mussed, mussy, rumpled, scruffy, sloppy, slovenly, unkempt, untidy; shabby, sleazy, squalid; smutty, sooty

Antonyms

clean, cleanly, immaculate, spick-and-span, spotless, stainless, unsoiled, unstained, unsullied

[2] bawdy, coarse, crude, filthy, foul, gross, indecent, lascivious, lewd, nasty, obscene, pornographic, ribald, smutty, unprintable, vulgar, wanton—more at OBSCENE

[3a] base, contemptible, despicable, detestable, dishonorable, ignoble, low, mean, snide, sordid, vile, wretched—more at IGNOBLE

[3b] foul, illegal, unfair, unsportsmanlike

[4] bleak, foul, inclement, nasty, raw, rough, squally, stormy, tempestuous, turbulent—more at FOUL

2dirty verb dirt·ied; dirty·ing : to make or become dirty

Synonyms

befoul, begrime, besmirch, blacken, foul, grime, mire,