director
Pluraldirectors
- 1A person who is in charge of a group, project, or show and tells others what to do.
Like the captain of a sports team, who decides the plan and guides everyone.
The director of the school play asked everyone to arrive on time.
She works as a marketing director for a large company.
UsageSay director of marketing or film director.
Similarhead, manager, chief, supervisor, administrator
- 2A person chosen to help run a company as part of a group that makes big decisions.
Like one player on a team that decides the rules together.
Each director on the board voted on the new budget.
The board voted to add two new directors this year.
UsageSay a director on the board, or board of directors.
Note
- 3A thing that guides or points something the right way.
Like a signpost that points you the right way.
For many busy people, the clock is the real director of the day.
Let your conscience be your director when you are not sure what to do.
Similarguide
Note
Less common meanings
- 4A person who gives someone spiritual advice and guidance, often in a religious setting.
Like a trusted teacher who helps you with hard choices in life.
She visited her spiritual director every week for guidance.
Her spiritual director helped her pray and think through hard choices.
UsageSay spiritual director.
- 5A machine that follows a moving target and works out where the guns should aim.
- 6A small bar on an antenna that helps aim the signal one way.
- 7The main line that the tiny parts of a liquid crystal point along.
Practice
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Origin
This word came from Middle French directeur, which came from a Latin word linked to dīrēctus. You can also see it as 'direct' plus '-or'.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- English director came from Middle French directeur. en.wiktionary.org
- French directeur came from a Latin word derived from dīrēctus. en.wiktionary.org
- Director can be analyzed as direct plus -or. en.wiktionary.org