adjective
Uncommon
perpendicular
pur-puhn-DIHK-yuh-luh
Perpendicular (adjective) means meeting another line or surface at a right angle (90 degrees). Example: “Make sure the fence post is perpendicular to the ground before you set the concrete.”
adjective
1
Meeting another line or surface at a right angle (90 degrees).
"Make sure the fence post is perpendicular to the ground before you set the concrete."
"The two roads cross perpendicular to each other."
2
Standing straight up; exactly vertical.
"The cliff face rises almost perpendicular from the sea."
noun
1
A line or plane set at a right angle to another.
"Drop a perpendicular from the top of the triangle to find its height."
How to use perpendicular
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAt a right angle to something, or simply standing straight up.
Common pairings
perpendicular to the ground
perpendicular line
stand perpendicular
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Word forms
- Plural
- perpendiculars
- Comparative
- more perpendicular
- Superlative
- most perpendicular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Make sure the fence post is _____ to the ground before you set the concrete.
Etymology
From Latin perpendiculum, "a plumb line," the weighted string builders used to check for a true vertical.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for perpendicular
See all rhymes for 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).
