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

Lilium's aircraft uses 30 electric jets that can be tilted in unison to swing between vertical lift and forward flight.

From BBC

The image was marred by interference, but Romeo thought he could make out twin vertical stabilizers on the tail.

From Los Angeles Times

Nearly vertical conveyor belts lifted dry ingredients high up to be deposited into hoppers where they were mixed with water and then the wet concrete was poured into waiting trucks below.

From Los Angeles Times

The formation relied on quick, vertical passing and endless movement to pierce through narrow and compact defensive lines.

From BBC

The result is that the descending air heats up by almost 30 degrees Fahrenheit for every vertical mile it sinks.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• perpendicular
• steep