adjective
directory
Providing guidance or instructions.
The statute's directory provisions guide officials through the review process.
Etymology
Latin dirigere meant to guide or direct. Directory in this adjective use identifies something whose purpose is to guide conduct or supply instructions for what should be done.
More examples
- The court treats the deadline as directory rather than mandatory.
- The handbook's directory passages help volunteers follow the proper procedures.
- These directory rules explain how the committee should conduct meetings.
Forms
directory
direct verb — To guide or instruct someone's actions.
Similar words
- guiding
- Emphasizes leading decisions or actions toward a particular goal.
- instructional
- Emphasizes material designed to teach specific tasks or procedures.