horizontal
5 synonyms and 1 antonyms for horizontal, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adj — Level and flat; parallel to the ground rather than upright.
Synonyms
Everyday swaps
Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.
Less common
Still standard English, but they carry more weight.
Rare, literary or technical
Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.
Antonyms
How to use horizontal
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From French horizontal, from horizon (see "horizon").
Full origin of horizontal →Frequently asked questions
What does “horizontal” mean?
The word “horizontal” means level and flat; parallel to the ground rather than upright. In plain terms, lying flat or level, as opposed to vertical (upright).
How do you pronounce “horizontal”?
“Horizontal” is pronounced ho-rih-ZON-tuhl (/ˌhoɹəˈzɑn.təl/ in IPA).
How do you use “horizontal” in a sentence?
Here is “horizontal” used in a sentence: “Lay the shelf horizontal before drilling the holes.”
What is the opposite of “horizontal”?
The opposite of “horizontal” — its antonyms — is vertical.
What part of speech is “horizontal”?
Depending on how it is used, “horizontal” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “horizontal” come from?
The word “horizontal” comes from French. From French horizontal, from horizon (see "horizon").
Is “horizontal” a common word?
“Horizontal” is a fairly common word in modern English.
How many meanings does “horizontal” have?
“Horizontal” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: level and flat; parallel to the ground rather than upright.
What is the difference between horizontal and vertical?
Horizontal describes something level and flat, running parallel to the ground or the horizon, such as a tabletop or a shelf. Vertical describes something upright, running straight up and down at a right angle to the ground, such as a wall or a flagpole.
How can you remember whether horizontal or vertical means flat?
Horizontal shares its root with "horizon," the flat line where land or sea meets the sky, so horizontal always means level and side-to-side. Vertical, by contrast, points straight up and down like a standing person.
What are common collocations with horizontal?
Horizontal frequently pairs with words such as line, surface, plane, axis, position, and stripes. In business, a "horizontal" merger or market describes companies operating at the same level of an industry rather than in a supplier-to-customer relationship.
When is horizontal used figuratively?
Beyond describing physical flatness, horizontal is used in organisations and design to mean spread across one level rather than ranked in a hierarchy. A "horizontal structure," for example, has few layers of management.