vertical

[ vur-ti-kuhl ]

adjective

1. being in a position or direction perpendicular to the plane of the horizon; upright; plumb.

   Antonyms: horizontal

2. of, relating to, or situated at the vertex.
3. of or relating to the cranial vertex.
4. Botany.
   1. (of a leaf ) having the blade in a perpendicular plane, so that neither of the surfaces can be called upper or lower.
   2. being in the same direction as the axis; lengthwise.
5. of, constituting, or resulting in vertical combination.
6. of or relating to a product or service from initial planning to sale.
7. of, relating to, or noting a stratified society, nation, etc.

noun

1. something vertical, as a line or plane.
2. a vertical or upright position.
3. a vertical structural member in a truss.

vertical

/ ˌvɜːtɪˈkælɪtɪ; ˈvɜːtɪkəl /

adjective

1. at right angles to the horizon; perpendicular; upright Compare horizontal

   a vertical wall

2. extending in a perpendicular direction
3. at or in the vertex or zenith; directly overhead
4. economics of or relating to associated or consecutive, though not identical, stages of industrial activity

   vertical amalgamation

   vertical integration

5. of or relating to the vertex
6. anatomy of, relating to, or situated at the top of the head (vertex)

noun

1. a vertical plane, position, or line
2. a vertical post, pillar, or other structural member

Derived Forms

• ˈvertically, adverb
• verticality, noun

Other Words From

• verti·cali·ty verti·cal·ness verti·cal·ism noun
• verti·cal·ly adverb
• non·verti·cal adjective
• non·verti·cal·ly adverb
• non·verti·cal·ness noun
• nonver·ti·cali·ty noun
• sub·verti·cal adjective
• sub·verti·cal·ly adverb
• sub·verti·cal·ness noun
• un·verti·cal adjective
• un·verti·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertical¹

First recorded in 1550–60; from Latin verticālis, equivalent to vertic- (stem of vertex ) vertex + -ālis -al ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertical¹

C16: from Late Latin verticālis, from Latin vertex

Synonym Study

See upright.

Example Sentences

Studying the fluid dynamics of manta rays also played a key role in controlling the vertical movement of the soft robot.

From Science Daily

In the new study, the researchers carefully inserted 1,200 pieces of fishing line -- one at a time -- through a thin, vertical slice of material with four pores that represent spherical grains of gravel.

From Science Daily

Then there’s the low-slung look of the seating, unlike the vertical prominence of modern stadiums.

From Los Angeles Times

“You get really rapid changes in vertical and horizontal motion over short distances,” Dr. Hitchcock said.

From New York Times

An appeal for new designs produced unusual ideas, including a glass roof, a green "eco-roof", a massive flame instead of a spire, and a spire topped by a vertical laser shooting into the firmament.

From BBC

Related Words

• perpendicular
• steep