directory
noun · adjective
Simple meaning
A structured listing of the names and characteristics of the files on a storage device.
Pronunciation
Say it like this:
derehktereeSay the bold part a little louder.
IPA pronunciation (US)
dɚˈɛktɚi
This word is pronounced essentially the same in American and British English, so one transcription covers both.
IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) is a standard way of writing speech sounds.
Definition
Everyday modern meanings first, grouped by part of speech.
noun
computing
A structured listing of the names and characteristics of the files on a storage device.
computingcomputer science
A listing of the files stored in memory (usually on a hard disk)
A list of names, addresses etc, of specific classes of people or organizations, often in alphabetical order or in some classification.
computing
A virtual container in a computer's file system, in which files and other directories may be stored. The files and subdirectories in a directory are usually related.
adjective
Containing directions; instructing; directorial.
Word at a Glance
- Difficulty
- A1 · Beginner
- Frequency
- Very Common
- Typical Use
- Everyday English
Word Aura™
How this word commonly comes across.
Aura for this meaning
This meaning: A structured listing of the names and characteristics of the files on a storage device.
Used this way, directory is a specialist word that usually carries little praise or criticism of its own. This is a computing use: it carries a fixed technical meaning inside software and systems work.
- Emotional tone
- Neutral
- Formality
- Specialist/technical
- Intensity
- Not strongly marked
- How common
- Specialized
- Connotation
- Clinical and technical
- Usage feel
- Technical and specialized
Where it naturally appears
- Technology
- Technical/specialist writing
- Business/professional
Usage note
In general conversation this sense usually needs explaining — outside its field, people reach for a plainer word.
Word Aura describes common impressions, not a measurement. Tone changes with sentence, speaker, relationship and situation.
More ways to use directory
- “I looked up the number in the phone directory.”noun
Share your sentence
Common Patterns and Combinations
How this word naturally appears with others.
Word Family
Related forms, grouped by how they connect.
Compound terms
Established multiword terms.
A directory containing an alphabetical list of telephone subscribers and their telephone numbers.
Related Words
Connected to the same idea, not synonyms.
Ask Vocabaura
Understand the word your way.
What Does It Mean Here?
Words can change meaning depending on context.
Use it yourself
Knowing “directory” starts when you use it. Pick a next step, all free.
Dictionary data from Wiktionary via the Free Dictionary API. Simple meanings, combinations and word intelligence are built from verified reference data, no AI is used to load this page.