Definition

1. Noun:

   • An official or authoritative instruction or order: A "directive" is an official pronouncement, instruction, or order issued by an authority, such as a government, manager, or organization, to guide, control, or mandate specific actions or activities.

2. Adjective:

   • Serving to direct, guide, or manage: The adjective form describes something that provides direction, guidance, or management. It indicates the act of imposing or showing the way.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The company issued a new safety directive to all employees.
  • The government's directive banned the use of the chemical.
• Adjective:
  • Her directive approach helped the team complete the project on time. (This usage is less common than the noun form.)
  • The manager provided clear, directive feedback.

Advanced Usage

• "to issue a directive": to formally release or send out an official instruction.
  • The council will issue a directive on the new zoning laws next week.
• "to comply with/follow a directive": to obey or act in accordance with an official instruction.
  • All departments must comply with the latest financial directive.

Variants and Related Words

• Direct (verb): to manage, guide, or command.
  • She will direct the new marketing campaign.
• Direction (noun): guidance, management, or a course along which something moves.
  • He asked for direction on the next steps.
• Directly (adverb): in a direct manner; immediately.
  • She spoke directly to the issue.

Synonyms

• Instruction: a detailed order or information telling how something should be done.
• Order: a command or authoritative instruction.
• Edict: an official order or proclamation issued by a person in authority.
• Mandate: an official order or commission to do something.

Antonyms

• Suggestion: an idea or plan put forward for consideration.
• Request: an act of asking politely or formally for something.
• Recommendation: a suggestion or proposal as the best course of action.

Related Phrases

• Executive Directive: an order issued by the head of an executive branch of government (e.g., a president or governor).
  • The policy was enacted via an executive directive.
• Policy Directive: an instruction that establishes or clarifies an organization's policy.
  • The new hiring freeze was communicated in a policy directive.

Adjective

1. showing the way by conducting or leading; imposing direction on
   • felt his mother's directing arm around him
   • the directional role of science on industrial progress

Noun

1. a pronouncement encouraging or banning some activity
   • the boss loves to send us directives