directory
gb/dɪɹˈɛktɚi/ us/dɪɹˈɛktɚi/
B1
English
~ 400
Senses
0 senses
Noun
B1
entity
1
organized list of contacts
A book or computer file with names and contact details in order.
Usage pattern:
a directory of [people/businesses/addresses]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'directory' with 'address'—a directory is a collection of addresses, not a single one.
Synonyms
listing (A general term for a set of items or names, sometimes less structured than a directory.)
|
index (An alphabetical or systematic list, often at the back of a book; may be less detailed than a directory.)
Antonyms
unlisted (Refers to something not included in a directory or list.)
Collocations
online directory
|business directory
|telephone directory
|company directory
Themes
business
|technology
|daily life
|communication
|daily_life
Examples
- I found her phone number in the company directory.
- The city publishes a directory of local services every year.
- You can search the online directory for alumni information.
- The telephone directory is now available as a mobile app.
- He updated his details in the staff directory.
Learner examples
- I looked for my friend's name in the school directory.
- The hotel has a directory of restaurants.
- You can find doctors in the health directory.
- Our office has a directory of all workers.
Noun
technical
B2
entity
2
folder in computer file system
A place on a computer where files are kept, like a folder.
Usage pattern:
store [file] in [directory]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'directory' with 'disk' or 'drive'; a directory is inside a disk or drive.
Synonyms
folder (The more common term in everyday computing; 'directory' is often used in technical contexts.)
Antonyms
file (A single document or piece of data, as opposed to a container that holds multiple files.)
Collocations
root directory
|home directory
|working directory
|create a directory
Themes
technology
Examples
- Save the document in your home directory.
- The program is stored in the root directory.
- You can create a new directory for your project files.
- Each user has their own personal directory on the server.
Learner examples
- I put the photo in the pictures directory.
- This file is in the wrong directory.
- Make a new directory for your homework.
- The program is in the games directory.
Noun
formal
C1
entity
3
managing body or person
A person or group that leads an organization (old-fashioned use).
Synonyms
management (General term for those in charge; less formal than 'directory'.)
Collocations
board of directory
|national directory
Themes
business
|work
Examples
- The national sports directory oversees all competitions.
- In the past, the country was ruled by a five-member directory.
Learner examples
- The old company had a small directory of leaders.
- Long ago, the country was run by a national directory.
Grammar
Dictionary form
directory
IPA
GB/dɪɹˈɛktɚi/
US/dɪɹˈɛktɚi/
Syllables & stress
dir - ect - ory (3 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ect)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: directory
- Plural: directories
Word family
Expressions
home directory
1/hˈoʊm dɪɹˈɛktɚi/
fixed phrase
technical
user's personal folder on computer
The main folder for your files on a computer system.
Examples
- All your documents are stored in your home directory.
- Navigate to your home directory to find your saved projects.
telephone directory
1/tˈɛləfˌoʊn dɪɹˈɛktɚi/
fixed phrase
book of phone numbers
A book or online list of people's phone numbers and addresses.
Examples
- You can find local businesses in the telephone directory.
- The telephone directory is now mostly online.
working directory
1/wˈɚkɪŋ dɪɹˈɛktɚi/
fixed phrase
technical
current folder in computing context
The folder your computer is using right now for saving and opening files.
Examples
- Make sure you're in the correct working directory before running the code.
- The program saves all logs to the working directory.