English Profile

direction · noun

/dəˈrek.ʃən/Full view

Word family

Nouns: directness, direction, directions, director, directive, directory

Adjectives: direct, indirect

Verbs: direct

Adverbs: direct, directly, indirectly

direction (WAY)

B1 C the way that someone or something is moving or facing

Dictionary examples:

"No, go that way," I said, pointing in the opposite direction.

He was going in the direction of the bedroom.

They drove away in opposite directions.

Learner example:

I walked for hours in the same direction I [had] walked before. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Italian)

in sb's direction

B2 toward someone

Dictionary example:

She keeps looking in my direction.

Learner example:

I didn't know why she was talking to me but suddenly she walked in my direction and told me: "I need to know your name". (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

direction (CONTROL)

C1 U control or instructions

Dictionary example:

Under his direction, the company has doubled its profits.

Learner example:

I am writing to you on behalf of the Social Club of our language school to express some complaints that we had from several students concerning our recent visit to the Science and Technology Museum which is under your direction. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

direction (DEVELOPMENT)

C2 C the way that someone or something changes or develops

Dictionary example:

Our careers have gone in very different directions.

Learner example:

At school and at home young people are supposed to take responsibility for their actions and choose a direction for their life. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Bulgarian)