directory

1 of 2

adjective

di·​rec·​to·​ry də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē 

dī-

: serving to direct

specifically : providing advisory but not compulsory guidance

directory

2 of 2

noun

plural directories

1

a

: a book or collection of directions, rules, or ordinances

b

: an alphabetical or classified list (as of names and addresses)

2

: a body of directors

3

: folder sense 3b

Examples of directory in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The big picture: Accepted businesses will be added to an NFL supplier directory used by teams, sponsors and partners — giving them opportunities long after the draft ends. —Chrissy Suttles, Axios, 1 Apr. 2025

Vogue’s guide to the best vintage stores in Austin is part of our directory of the very best vintage around the world, curated by editors from all over. —Margaux Anbouba, Vogue, 26 Mar. 2025

The tender for its initial roster of teams had attracted a directory of the steel, cement and petrochemical barons who dominate the country’s economy: Tata Steel, JSW and Sanjiv Goenka among them. —Rory Smith, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

The Census Bureau’s public repository went offline, then returned without certain directories of geographic information. —Julian Lucas, The New Yorker, 14 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English directorie guide, from Medieval Latin directorium, from neuter of Late Latin directorius directorial, from Latin dirigere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1543, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing directory

• directory assistance
• directory enquiries
• ex-directory
• go ex-directory
• phone directory
• sub-directory
• telephone directory

Rhymes for directory

• refectory
• trajectory
• nectary
• rectory
• subdirectory

Kids Definition

directory

noun

di·​rec·​to·​ry

də-ˈrek-t(ə-)rē,

dī-

plural directories

: an alphabetical list containing names and addresses