Pronunciation: [da͡ɪɹˈɛkʃənə͡l] (IPA) 
The word "directional" can be spelled with the IPA phonetic transcription /dɪˈrɛkʃənəl/. The first syllable is pronounced with a short "i" sound, as in "did" or "sit." The second syllable has a long "e" sound, as in "bee" or "see." The "k" sound is followed by the "sh" sound, which is represented by the "ʃ" symbol in IPA. The final syllable is pronounced with a short "u" sound, as in "but" or "mud."
Directional is an adjective that describes something which relates to or indicates a particular direction or set of directions. It refers to an object, action, or design that is aimed or oriented towards a specific path or course. The term is commonly used in various domains, including science, engineering, technology, and communication.
In science and engineering, directional often pertains to the characteristics or properties of an object or energy that exhibit a preferential orientation. For instance, a directional antenna focuses its signal transmission and reception strength in a specific direction, allowing for targeted communication. Similarly, directional drilling is a technique used in the oil and gas industry to deliberately steer a wellbore along a specified path, reaching specific underground reservoirs.
In the realm of communication and design, directional can refer to elements that guide or direct the flow of movement or attention. This can be seen in wayfinding signage that provides directional instructions, or in user interfaces that feature directional arrows to indicate possible actions. The term is also employed in fashion and design to describe clothing or patterns that highlight a particular line or movement, emphasizing a sense of flow in a specific direction.
Overall, directional refers to anything that exhibits a clear path, course, or orientation, guiding movement, attention, or function towards a predetermined goal or target.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "directional" originated from the Old French word "direction" which came from the Latin word "directionem". This Latin word is the accusative form of "directio" which means "arranging in line" or "guiding". The Latin term is derived from the verb "dirigere" which means "to set straight" or "to guide". Ultimately, it traces back to the combining of the prefix "dis-" meaning "apart" and the root word "regere" meaning "to guide" or "to rule". Hence, the etymology of "directional" relates to the concept of guidance or purposeful movement in a particular line or course.
