How to pronounce direct
Say it like duh-REKT. Direct has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REKT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce direct. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- duh
- REKT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Direct pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- duhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- REKTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
American vs British pronunciation of direct
American and British speakers say direct in essentially the same way: /dəˈrɛkt/ in the US and /daɪˈrɛkt/ in the UK.
British respelling: dy-REKT.
What does direct mean?
- command with authority“He directed the children to do their homework”
- intend (something) to move towards a certain goal“He aimed his fists towards his opponent's face”“criticism directed at her superior”
- guide the actors in (plays and films)
- direct in spatial dimensions; proceeding without deviation or interruption; straight and short“a direct route”“a direct flight”
- having no intervening persons, agents, conditions“in direct sunlight”“in direct contact with the voters”
- straightforward in means or manner or behavior or language or action“a direct question”“a direct response”
- without deviation“the path leads directly to the lake”“went direct to the office”
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with direct
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of direct.
Questions about saying direct
How do you pronounce direct?
Say duh-REKT. The American pronunciation is /dəˈrɛkt/. In British English it is /daɪˈrɛkt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in direct?
Direct has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (REKT). Broken into parts: duh · REKT.
Do Americans and Brits say direct the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /dəˈrɛkt/ and the British form is /daɪˈrɛkt/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.