direction
21 synonyms and 0 antonyms for direction, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Noun — The line or path along which something moves or faces.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
How to use direction
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French direccion, ultimately from Latin dīrēctiō.
Full origin of direction →Frequently asked questions
What does “direction” mean?
The word “direction” means the line or path along which something moves or faces. In plain terms, the way something is pointing or moving, or the guidance given about how to proceed.
How do you pronounce “direction”?
“Direction” is pronounced dih-REHK-shuhn (/dɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/ in IPA).
How do you use “direction” in a sentence?
Here is “direction” used in a sentence: “The car sped off in the direction of the coast.”
What part of speech is “direction”?
“Direction” is a noun.
Where does the word “direction” come from?
The word “direction” comes from Latin. From Old French direccion, ultimately from Latin dīrēctiō.
Is “direction” a common word?
“Direction” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “direction” have?
“Direction” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the line or path along which something moves or faces.
What are the types of direction?
Directions fall into two main kinds. Cardinal directions — north, south, east and west — are fixed points on the compass. Relative directions, such as left, right, forward, back, up and down, depend on which way you happen to be facing. Together they let you describe any path of movement precisely.
What is the difference between direction and distance?
Direction tells you which way something moves or faces; distance tells you how far it travels. If you drive north for fifty miles, "north" is the direction and "fifty miles" is the distance. Navigation needs both — knowing one without the other leaves you unable to reach a destination.
Can direction be measured?
Yes. Direction is usually measured as an angle, most often in degrees from north — a reading known as a bearing. A compass shows it relative to magnetic north, while a protractor or GPS device can give a precise figure. Zero degrees points north, ninety points east, and so on around the circle.
What is an example of direction?
If you tell someone the shop is "to your left" or that a river flows "towards the sea," you are giving a direction. Wind blowing from the west, an arrow pointing up, or a plane heading south-east are all everyday examples — each describes the line along which something moves or faces.