directory
directory — noun
1. An organized collection of names and contact information of people, businesses,
An organized collection of names and contact information of people, businesses, or organizations, arranged so that a specific entry can be found quickly.
Tamás found a plumber in the local business directory after his kitchen pipe burst.
The directory in the hotel lobby listed nearby restaurants and their opening hours.
physical directory at a location listing services
Before the reunion, Putri checked the alumni directory to find her old classmate.
Fatima found a local tutor in the community directory when her son needed math help.
Walid searched the company directory for the finance team's email addresses.
用法筆記
Often used in compound nouns describing the type of directory: telephone directory, business directory, employee directory, alumni directory.
常見錯誤
2. A labeled space on a computer or other device where files, programs, and folders
A labeled space on a computer or other device where files, programs, and folders can be kept in an organized structure.
Elena saved the holiday photos in a new directory named 'Italy Trip'.
Mei created a directory for each client, then stored their invoices and contracts inside.
creation + storage: created a directory, then stored [files] inside
When the audit began, Hoa told the team to save the financial reports in the shared directory.
During the system upgrade, Kian's project directory was renamed 'Legacy 2024' by the IT team.
Ilán created a new directory on the desktop for this month's invoices.
- folder
more common in graphical user interfaces; directory is the traditional computing term, especially in command-line environments.
- subdirectory
a directory that sits inside another directory.
用法筆記
On most systems, directories form a tree-like structure. The top-level container is called the root directory. Directories can contain other directories (called subdirectories).
常見錯誤
directory — adjective
1. Providing guidance or instructions about where to go or how to proceed, especial
Providing guidance or instructions about where to go or how to proceed, especially in formal or written contexts.
Christopher read the directory notice posted on the office bulletin board before the meeting.
Jude used the directory function on the mall app to find the electronics store on level 3.
adjective modifying 'function': directory + noun describing a feature
Before entering the building, Vivek checked the directory map near the main entrance.
A directory sign at the crossroads pointed travelers toward the nearest hospital.
- directional
common modern equivalent; used for signs, arrows, and markers.
- guiding
broader in meaning — can refer to principles or advice as well as physical direction.
用法筆記
This adjective sense is very rare in modern English. It mostly survives in fixed expressions such as directory map, directory sign, and directory notice. In everyday speech, directional or guiding is preferred.