noun
Uncommon
directive
deye-REHK-tihv
Directive (noun) means an official instruction or order. Example: “Staff received a directive to work from home during the outbreak.”
noun
1
An official instruction or order.
"Staff received a directive to work from home during the outbreak."
"The head teacher issued a directive banning phones from all classrooms."
"Under the new directive, every visitor must sign in at the front desk."
2
A legislative act by the European Union requiring member states to achieve a result in their own laws.
"The EU directive set new limits on emissions."
"Each member state had to turn the directive into national law within a set time."
"The directive on packaging waste led to changes in how many products are labelled."
How to use directive
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn official order or instruction, often from a government body or organization.
Common pairings
issue a directive
EU directive
comply with a directive
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Word forms
- Plural
- directives
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Staff received a _____ to work from home during the outbreak.
Etymology
From Middle French directif; the noun use comes from the French feminine form directive.
Related words
Rhymes for directive
See all rhymes for directive →Frequently asked questions
What does “directive” mean?
The word “directive” means an official instruction or order. In plain terms, an official order or instruction, often from a government body or organization.
How do you pronounce “directive”?
“Directive” is pronounced deye-REHK-tihv (/dəˈɹɛk.tɪv/ in IPA).
How do you use “directive” in a sentence?
Here is “directive” used in a sentence: “Staff received a directive to work from home during the outbreak.”
What part of speech is “directive”?
“Directive” is a noun.
Where does the word “directive” come from?
The word “directive” comes from Middle French. From Middle French directif; the noun use comes from the French feminine form directive.
Is “directive” a common word?
“Directive” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “directive” have?
“Directive” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: an official instruction or order.
What is the difference between a "directive" and an "order"?
A "directive" is generally a formal or official instruction, often issued in writing by an authority such as a government body or organization, while "order" can be more immediate and informal, such as a verbal command. In practice the words overlap heavily, but "directive" tends to sound more bureaucratic or institutional.
What is a European Union "directive"?
In EU law, a "directive" is a legislative act requiring member states to achieve a specific result, while leaving each country to decide how to implement it in its own national laws. This differs from an EU regulation, which applies directly and uniformly without needing separate national legislation.
Is "directive" a formal or informal word?
"Directive" is a formal word, typically used in official, legal, corporate, or governmental contexts rather than everyday conversation. It signals an authoritative instruction rather than a casual request.
