perpendicular
4 synonyms and 2 antonyms for perpendicular, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.
Adjective — Meeting another line or surface at a right angle (90 degrees).
Synonyms
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.
plumb line
English-Gothic
perpendicular style
Antonyms
How to use perpendicular
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
perpendicular to the ground
perpendicular line
stand perpendicular
Etymology
From Latin perpendiculum, "a plumb line," the weighted string builders used to check for a true vertical.
Full origin of perpendicular →Frequently asked questions
What does “perpendicular” mean?
The word “perpendicular” means meeting another line or surface at a right angle (90 degrees). In plain terms, at a right angle to something, or simply standing straight up.
How do you pronounce “perpendicular”?
“Perpendicular” is pronounced pur-puhn-DIHK-yuh-luh (/ˌpɝ.pənˈdɪk.ju.lɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “perpendicular” in a sentence?
Here is “perpendicular” used in a sentence: “Make sure the fence post is perpendicular to the ground before you set the concrete.”
What part of speech is “perpendicular”?
Depending on how it is used, “perpendicular” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “perpendicular” come from?
The word “perpendicular” comes from Latin. From Latin perpendiculum, "a plumb line," the weighted string builders used to check for a true vertical.
Is “perpendicular” a common word?
“Perpendicular” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “perpendicular” have?
“Perpendicular” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: meeting another line or surface at a right angle (90 degrees).
