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

King, who overcame a bout with cancer and the loss of his wife, Mary, eight years ago, is still listed as a senior judge in the online directory of federal judges in South Florida. —Jay Weaver, Miami Herald, 3 May 2026

But a publicly accessible database used to populate the directory contains some of the providers' Social Security numbers, linked to their names and other identifying information. —Arkansas Online, 2 May 2026

After first being hired by the school as an intern in 2021, Shiver was promoted to assistant recruiting coordinator just five months later, according to the Michigan directory. —Trey Wallace Outkick, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

As of Monday, April 27, his information has been removed from the Roycemore School website and staff directory. —Claire Murphy, Chicago Tribune, 27 Apr. 2026

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