directive
gb/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/ us/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
B2
English
~ 6300
utasítás, rendelkezés, előzetes egészségügyi rendelkezés, élő végrendelet, irányelv, iránymutatás, irányvonal, irányító, direktív
NOUN
B2
1
utasítás
A2
rendelkezés
B2
Usage pattern:
a directive from [authority] to [someone] to [do something]
The health ministry issued a new directive requiring all hospitals to report infection rates monthly.
Az egészségügyi minisztérium új utasítást adott ki, amely előírja, hogy minden kórháznak havonta jelentenie kell a fertőzési arányokat.
Under the court’s directive, the company must pay compensation to all affected customers.
A bíróság rendelkezése alapján a vállalatnak kártérítést kell fizetnie minden érintett ügyfélnek.
Employees are expected to follow any safety directive given by their supervisor.
The school board released a directive banning the use of mobile phones during class.
Learner examples
The manager gave a directive to close the office early.
Az igazgató utasítást adott, hogy korábban zárják be az irodát.
Workers must follow the safety directive at all times.
A dolgozóknak mindig be kell tartaniuk a biztonsági utasítást.
The government sent a directive to all schools.
The company issued a directive to work from home.
Common mistake:
Learners often confuse “directive” with “direction.” “Directions” are step-by-step instructions (for example, how to go somewhere or how to use a machine). A “directive” is usually a single formal order from an authority. Also, learners sometimes say *“do a directive”* instead of *“issue a directive”* or *“follow a directive.”*
Meaning
official instruction or order
Collocations
issue a directive
|follow a directive
|government directive
|court directive
|company directive
|legally binding directive
Synonyms
order (More general and slightly more common in everyday speech; can be less formal than “directive”.)
|
instruction (Focuses more on explaining what to do; may sound less strict or legal than “directive”.)
|
mandate (Emphasizes authority and obligation, often used in legal or political contexts.)
Antonyms
suggestion (Implies advice with no obligation, the opposite of a binding directive.)
|
recommendation (Something advised but not required, unlike an enforceable directive.)
Themes
law
|business
|government
|politics
Definition
An official order from someone in power that tells people what they must do.
An official instruction or order given by a person or body in authority, especially in government, law, or business, telling someone what must be done.
NOUN
C1
TECHNICAL
2
Usage pattern:
an advance directive about [treatment or care]
She completed an advance directive to make sure her family knows her wishes about life support.
Kitöltött egy előzetes egészségügyi rendelkezést, hogy a családja biztosan ismerje az életfenntartó kezeléssel kapcsolatos kívánságait.
Hospital staff must check whether a patient has a medical directive before starting certain treatments.
A kórházi személyzetnek ellenőriznie kell, van-e a betegnek előzetes egészségügyi rendelkezése, mielőtt bizonyos kezeléseket megkezdenek.
His directive clearly states that he does not want to be kept alive on a ventilator indefinitely.
Learner examples
My grandmother signed a medical directive at the hospital.
A nagymamám a kórházban aláírt egy előzetes egészségügyi rendelkezést.
The doctor asked if I have an advance directive.
Az orvos megkérdezte, van-e előzetes egészségügyi rendelkezésem.
This directive tells the hospital what care he wants at the end of his life.
Common mistake:
Learners may think this use of “directive” is just any order, but here it almost always refers to a formal legal document about future medical care, often in the phrase “advance directive.”
Meaning
document about future medical care
Collocations
advance directive
|medical directive
|end-of-life directive
|sign a directive
|honor the directive
Synonyms
living will (Common term in everyday language; a type of advance directive focused on end-of-life treatment.)
Antonyms
no directive (Refers to the absence of any formal written instructions about future medical care.)
Themes
health
|law
|daily_life
Definition
A legal paper that says what medical care a person wants or does not want in the future if they cannot speak or choose at that time.
A legal document, especially an advance directive, in which a person states what medical treatment they want or do not want if they are unable to make decisions in the future.
NOUN
C1
3
Usage pattern:
a broad directive to [do something]
The CEO set a clear directive to focus on renewable energy projects over the next five years.
A vezérigazgató egyértelmű irányelvet fogalmazott meg: a következő öt évben a megújulóenergia-projektekre kell összpontosítani.
Under the new policy directive, departments are expected to reduce travel costs by ten percent.
Az új szakpolitikai iránymutatás értelmében az osztályoktól azt várják, hogy tíz százalékkal csökkentsék az utazási költségeket.
The team’s work is shaped by a strategic directive to improve customer satisfaction.
Learner examples
The company has a directive to grow in Asian markets.
A vállalatnak az az irányelve, hogy terjeszkedjen az ázsiai piacokon.
Our boss gave a broad directive to cut costs this year.
A főnökünk általános iránymutatást adott, hogy idén csökkentsük a költségeket.
The government’s main directive is to protect the environment.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes expect a “directive” to include detailed steps. In this sense, it is often only a broad goal or rule, and the details are decided later by managers or teams.
Meaning
general guiding instruction or aim
Collocations
broad directive
|strategic directive
|policy directive
|overall directive
|organizational directive
Synonyms
guideline (Emphasizes advice and general direction; often sounds slightly less strict than “directive.”)
|
policy (Stresses a standing rule or approach rather than a single instruction.)
|
framework (Highlights the structure for decisions, not a specific instruction, but overlaps in strategic contexts.)
Antonyms
detail (A small, specific piece of information, as opposed to a broad guiding directive.)
Themes
business
|politics
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
A general rule or goal from leaders that shows what people should try to do, but does not explain every step.
A broad or high-level instruction, aim, or policy that guides how decisions are made or how work should be done, without specifying all the details.
C1
4
Usage pattern:
a directive [style / approach / leader / role]
Her leadership style is very directive; she gives the team clear tasks and deadlines every week.
Az ő vezetési stílusa nagyon irányító: hetente világos feladatokat és határidőket ad a csapatnak.
The counselor decided to use a more directive approach, offering specific advice rather than just listening.
A tanácsadó úgy döntött, hogy irányítóbb megközelítést alkalmaz: konkrét tanácsokat ad, ahelyett hogy csak hallgatna.
In early childhood education, some teachers prefer a directive role, while others allow children to explore more freely.
Learner examples
He is a very directive manager and tells everyone what to do.
Nagyon irányító vezető, és mindenkinek megmondja, mit csináljon.
The coach used a directive style and gave clear instructions to each player.
Az edző irányító stílust alkalmazott, és minden játékosnak világos utasításokat adott.
Some students like a directive teacher who explains every step.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse “directive” (adjective) with “direct” (adjective). A “direct” person speaks in a clear, honest way, while a “directive” person or style focuses on giving instructions and controlling actions.
Meaning
giving clear instructions or control
Collocations
directive leadership
|directive style
|directive approach
|highly directive
|directive parenting
|directive therapy
Synonyms
authoritative (Suggests confident control and clear expectations; may sound more positive or neutral depending on context.)
|
controlling (Carries a more negative tone, implying too much control, whereas “directive” can be neutral or professional.)
|
prescriptive (Focuses on telling people exactly what they should do or how they should do it, similar in formal tone.)
Antonyms
non-directive (Technical opposite, especially in therapy or counseling, where the professional does not lead or tell the client what to do.)
|
hands-off (Describes a style with very little guidance or control, the opposite of a directive style.)
Themes
business
|psychology
|work
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Describes a way of leading, teaching, or helping where one person clearly tells others what to do and guides their actions.
Describing a style, person, or approach that clearly tells others what to do and actively guides or controls their behavior or decisions.
Grammar
Dictionary form
directive
IPA
GB/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
US/dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
Syllables & stress
dir - ect - ive (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ect)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: directive
Noun
- Base: directive
- Plural: directives
Word family
Expressions
advance directive
1/ədvˈæns dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
written wishes for future treatment
A legal document that says what medical care a person wants or does not want in the future if they cannot speak or decide for themselves.
Examples
- The hospital gave her forms to create an advance directive before her surgery.
- Having an advance directive can help families make difficult medical decisions more easily.
EU directive
1/ˈi jˈu dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
technical
European Union legal instruction
A kind of law from the European Union that tells member countries what goals they must meet but lets them decide how to meet them.
Examples
- The new EU directive on data privacy affects companies all over Europe.
- Member states have two years to bring their national laws in line with the EU directive.
follow a directive
1/fˈɑloʊ ə dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
obey an official instruction
To do what an official order or instruction tells you to do.
Examples
- All staff must follow the directive on data protection without exception.
- The soldiers were punished because they failed to follow a direct directive from their commander.
in accordance with a directive
1/ˈɪn əkˈɔɹdəns wˈɪθ ə dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
formal
in obedience to an official order
Done in a way that follows an official order or rule.
Examples
- The documents were destroyed in accordance with a directive from the security committee.
- All changes must be made in accordance with the directive issued by the central bank.
issue a directive
1/ˈɪʃu ə dɪɹˈɛktɪv/
fixed phrase
formally give an official order
To officially give an order or instruction, usually from a government, court, or company leader.
Examples
- The minister plans to issue a directive banning single-use plastics in government offices.
- The company issued a directive requiring all employees to change their passwords every three months.