Meaning & use
directed
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“directed” is a form of “direct”. See that entry for the full set of meanings.
Meanings
adjectivecomparable
Pointed or aimed toward a particular goal, person, or place.
Grammar: Often used after be and followed by at or toward: criticism directed at the manager.
Patterns
- directed at someone
- directed toward something
The comment was directed at the whole team.
She works with highly directed energy.
The directed beam of light lit up the stage.
adjectivebefore a noun
Guided or controlled by a person or plan instead of left to chance.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a directed study.
Patterns
- directed study
- directed reading
Students take a directed study course in the final year.
The teacher led a directed discussion on the novel.
Directed practice improved his piano skills.
adjectivebefore a nounmathematicstechnical
Having a specific direction, as in mathematics: a line or graph whose edges point one way.
Grammar: Technical use before a noun: a directed graph.
Patterns
- a directed graph
A directed graph shows which web page links to which.
The directed edges in the diagram show one-way relationships.
Traffic flow can be modeled with a directed network.
Common combinations
- directed at
- The anger was directed at the referee.
- directed toward
- Their efforts were directed toward raising funds.
- directed by
- The film was directed by a young newcomer.
- directed graph
- A directed graph has arrows between its points.
- well directed
- It was a well directed campaign.
Synonyms and how they differ
- aimed
- Aimed stresses pointing at a target, while directed can also mean guided.
- guided
- Guided stresses the leading hand of a person or system.
- targeted
- Targeted is more modern and implies carefully chosen recipients.
- focused
- Focused emphasizes concentration, while directed emphasizes a heading.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: directed or directed? directed or derided?
directed vs directed
As a verb form, directed is the past tense of direct, as in she directed the play.
directed vs derided
Derided is the past tense of deride, meaning to mock, and is easy to mistake in a hurry.
Practice
Her frustration was ____ at the company, not at her coworkers.
Choose one answer.
Directed at is the standard pattern meaning aimed toward. The other verbs do not collocate with at in this sense.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “directed”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.