American English

How to pronounce directives

nounB2Common word
deeREHKtihvz

/diˈɹɛk.tɪvz/

3 syllables · Stress the second syllable.

Form of directive

Official instructions that tell people what they must or should do.

What to listen for

“Directives” can begin with /dɪ-/ or /daɪ-/; the reduced-vowel form is shown first.

Main pronunciation/dɪˈɹɛk.tɪvz/
Full-vowel alternate/daɪˈɹɛk.tɪvz/
Practice out loud

Meanings & examples

plural noun

Official instructions that tell people what they must or should do.

/dɪˈɹɛk.tɪvz/Main pronunciation/daɪˈɹɛk.tɪvz/Full-vowel alternate

The agency issued new directives for all its offices.

Employees must follow the safety directives.

Good to know

Directives is the plural of directive and is usually used in formal contexts.

Related words & forms