different between clearly vs directly

English

Etymology

From Middle English clerli, clerely, clerelych, cleerliche, clerliche, equivalent to clear +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• (General American) IPA^(key): /?kl??li/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /?kl??li/
• (Scotland) IPA^(key): /?kli??li/

Adverb

clearly (comparative clearlier or more clearly, superlative clearliest or most clearly)

1. (manner) In a clear manner.

2. (modal) Without a doubt; obviously.
3. (degree) To a degree clearly discernible.

Synonyms

• (without a doubt): expressly, unambiguously; see also Thesaurus:explicitly or Thesaurus:obviously

Translations

Anagrams

• Callery, Carlyle, cellary

English

Etymology

direct +? -ly.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /d????k(t)li/, /da????k(t)li/

Adverb

directly (comparative more directly, superlative most directly)

1. In a direct manner; in a straight line or course.

2. In a straightforward way; without anything intervening; not by secondary, but by direct means.

3. Plainly, without circumlocution or ambiguity; absolutely; in express terms.
4. Exactly; just.
5. Straightforwardly; honestly.

6. (dated) Immediately.
7. (Midlands) Soon; next; when it becomes convenient.

Synonyms

• (in a straight line or course): straightwise, undeviatingly
• (without circumlocution or ambiguity): bluntly, clearly, downrightly, unambiguously; see also Thesaurus:explicitly
• (exactly, just): accurately, precisely, slap bang; see also Thesaurus:exactly
• (straightforwardly, honestly): frankly, truthfully
• (immediately): forthwith, now, tout de suite; see also Thesaurus:immediately
• (soon, next): betimes, presently, shortly; see also Thesaurus:soon

Antonyms

• indirectly

Translations

Conjunction

directly

1. As soon as; immediately (elliptical for directly that/as/when)
   • 1982, Lawrence Durrell, Constance, Faber & Faber 2004 (Avignon Quintet), p. 725:

     Tenderly, reluctantly, he took his leave of her, promising that he would contact her directly he got back, perhaps in ten days or so.

   • 2009, Hilary Mantel, Wolf Hall, Fourth Estate 2010, p. 463:

     He is to go to Calais, directly this is over, to replace Lord Berners as governor [...].

Anagrams

• tridecyl