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 integration

   vertical amalgamation

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

Other Word Forms

• verticality noun
• verticalness noun
• verticalism noun
• vertically adverb
• nonvertical adjective
• nonvertically adverb
• nonverticalness noun
• nonverticality noun
• subvertical adjective
• subvertically adverb
• subverticalness noun
• unvertical adjective
• unvertically 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

Faribault Mill, one of the last vertical wool and cotton mills in the country, partnered with Anishinaabe artist Madison Rae Holler to create a series of blankets honoring traditional folklore and storytelling.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The recent launch of a Trans-Adriatic pipeline connecting Greece and Bulgaria has enabled the country to contribute to a "vertical" corridor delivering gas towards Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Ukraine, Hungary and Slovakia.

Read more on Barron's

Davidson said execution in the company’s core U.S. business is impressive and its “newer verticals are progressing nicely.”

Read more on Barron's

Netflix has been investing in its games vertical for the last four years, with mixed results.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“While cargo volumes are growing on the back of the group’s diversified network and verticals, yields remain under pressure as airlines redeploy cargo capacity” from the U.S. to other lanes, it said.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• perpendicular 
• steep