vertical

6 synonyms and 2 antonyms for vertical, grouped by meaning and by how common each one is.

Adj — Standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line.

Synonyms

Everyday swaps

Common words most readers know — safe in any writing.

standing

Less common

Still standard English, but they carry more weight.

upright perpendicular erect

Rare, literary or technical

Precise, but they will stand out — check the sense before using one.

plumb upended

Synonyms by Meaning

1. adj

Standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line.

“The climber gripped the vertical cliff face and slowly pulled himself upwards.”

upright perpendicular plumb erect upended standing

Opposites

inclined horizontal

2. noun

A specific market, industry, or subject area treated as a distinct segment.

“Our agency focuses on one vertical, which is online education.”

upright

How to use vertical

The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.

a vertical line vertical market vertical axis

Etymology

From Late Latin verticalis, related to vertex, "the highest point" — from vertere, "to turn".

Full origin of vertical →

Frequently asked questions

What does “vertical” mean?

The word “vertical” means standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line. In plain terms, pointing straight up and down, as opposed to horizontal; in business, a specific industry or niche.

How do you pronounce “vertical”?

“Vertical” is pronounced VUR-tih-kuhl (/ˈvɝ.tɪ.kəl/ in IPA).

How do you use “vertical” in a sentence?

Here is “vertical” used in a sentence: “The ladder needs to be perfectly vertical before you climb it.”

What is the opposite of “vertical”?

The opposite of “vertical” — its antonyms — is horizontal.

What part of speech is “vertical”?

Depending on how it is used, “vertical” can be an adjective and a noun.

Where does the word “vertical” come from?

The word “vertical” comes from Late Latin. From Late Latin verticalis, related to vertex, "the highest point" — from vertere, "to turn".

Is “vertical” a common word?

“Vertical” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C1 level.

How many meanings does “vertical” have?

“Vertical” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line.

What is the difference between "vertical" and "horizontal"?

"Vertical" means standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line. "Horizontal" means running flat and level, parallel to the ground or the horizon. A flagpole is vertical, while the ground it stands on is horizontal.

What is the difference between "vertical" and "upright"?

"Vertical" is a precise, often technical term meaning at a right angle to the horizontal. "Upright" means standing on end in a roughly vertical position, and it is a more everyday word that can also imply "not lying down." Something can be upright without being perfectly vertical.

People also searched

standing horizontal inclined upright erect perpendicular plumb

Nearby words

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