adj
vertical
VUR-tih-kuhl
adj
1
Standing straight up, at a right angle to the ground or to a horizontal line.
"The ladder needs to be perfectly vertical before you climb it."
"The graph's vertical axis shows sales in thousands."
noun
1
A specific market, industry, or subject area treated as a distinct segment.
"The company expanded into the healthcare vertical last year."
How to Use Vertical
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishPointing straight up and down, as opposed to horizontal; in business, a specific industry or niche.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
a vertical line
vertical market
vertical axis
Word Forms
more vertical comparative, verticals plural, most vertical superlative
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Etymology
From Late Latin verticalis, related to vertex, "the highest point" — from vertere, "to turn".