direction

A2 Topic:Space, Position & Direction

US /dɪˈɹek.ʃən/ UK /dɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/ See IPA manual

Freq #2037

Meanings

1

noun
The way something or someone is moving or pointing.

The wind was blowing in a northerly direction.
2

noun
Instructions on how to do something or how to get somewhere.

She gave me clear directions to the station.
3

noun
A general course along which something develops.

The company is moving in a new direction this year.
4

noun
The job of guiding the making of a film or play.

The acting was good, but the direction was weak.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 noun · the way something or... way

2 noun · instructions on how to do... instruction

Word family

Forms directions

Derived forms co-directioncodirectiondirectionaldirectionalitydirectionerdirectionfuldirectionizedirectionlessdirective directoreigendirectionmisdirection

Related forms direct

Appears in

Phrases (2)

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Proverbs (2)

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Simplified etymology

Direction entered English in the late Middle English period and ultimately derives from Latin directus, “put straight.” It shares this source with address.

Etymology

From Middle English direccioun, from Old French direccion, from Latin dīrēctiō. Equivalent to direct + -ion.

direccioun Middle English direccion Old French dīrēctiō Latin

View etymology graph ->

Topics

Space, Position & Direction

External links

# direction

**Type:** Word
**Level:** A2
**Part of speech:** noun
**IPA (US):** /dɪˈɹek.ʃən/
**IPA (UK):** /dɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/
**Frequency rank:** 2037

## Meanings
1. The way something or someone is moving or pointing.
2. Instructions on how to do something or how to get somewhere.
3. A general course along which something develops.
4. The job of guiding the making of a film or play.

## Examples
- The wind was blowing in a northerly direction.
- She gave me clear directions to the station.
- The company is moving in a new direction this year.
- The acting was good, but the direction was weak.

## Derived Forms
- co-direction
- codirection
- directional
- directionality
- directioner
- directionful
- directionize
- directionless
- directive
- director
- eigendirection
- misdirection

## Related Forms
- direct

## Roots and Affixes
- Root: direccioun
- Root: direccion
- Root: dīrēctiō

## Etymology
From Middle English direccioun, from Old French direccion, from Latin dīrēctiō. Equivalent to direct + -ion.

## AI Etymology
direction comes from Middle English direccioun, from Old French direccion, from Latin dīrēctiō. Equivalent to direct + -ion. The historical chain includes Middle English direccioun, Old French direccion, Latin dīrēctiō. Current senses include The way something or someone is moving or pointing and Instructions on how to do something or how to get somewhere. English relatives and later formations include co-direction, codirection, directional, direct.

## Topics
- Space, Position & Direction

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