What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
directory
Example
I found the company's phone number in the directory. [directory: noun]
Example
The directory structure on my computer helps me keep my files organized. [directory: noun]
Example
The tourist picked up a directory of local attractions at the hotel. [directory: noun]
index
Example
I found the definition of the word in the back of the book's index. [index: noun]
Example
The search engine uses an index to find relevant web pages. [index: noun]
Example
The stock market index rose by 2% today. [index: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Directory is more commonly used in everyday life, such as phone books or business directories, while index is more commonly used in academic or professional settings, such as textbooks or research papers.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between directory and index?
While both directory and index can be used in formal and informal contexts, index is generally considered more formal due to its association with academic and professional writing.
