# direction

> English word · Noun · IPA /dɪˈɹɛk.ʃən/ · frequency rank #1,248

## Definitions
1. A theoretical line (physically or mentally) followed from a point of origin or towards a destination. May be relative (e.g. up, left, outbound, dorsal), geographical (e.g. north), rotational (e.g. clockwise), or with respect to an object or location (e.g. toward Boston).
2. A general trend for future action.
3. Guidance, instruction.
4. The work of the director in cinema or theater; the skill of directing a film, play etc.
5. The body of persons who guide or manage a matter; the directorate.
6. A person's address.

## Etymology
From Middle English direccioun, from Old French direccion, from Latin dīrēctiō. Equivalent to direct + -ion.

## Easily confused with
- **director** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/direction-vs-director)
- **directive** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/direction-vs-directive)
- **directions** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/direction-vs-directions)
- **dissection** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/direction-vs-dissection)
- **directional** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/direction-vs-directional)
- **diction** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/diction-vs-direction)
- **detection** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/detection-vs-direction)
- **digestion** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/digestion-vs-direction)
- **defection** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/defection-vs-direction)

## Common misspellings (14)
`ddirection`, `dierction`, `dircetion`, `direcction`, `direciton`, `direcsion`, `directino`, `directionn`, `directoin`, `directtion`, `diretcion`, `dirrection`, `driection`, `idrection`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/direction