vertical

adjective

ver·​ti·​cal ˈvər-ti-kəl 

1

a

: perpendicular to the plane of the horizon or to a primary axis : upright

b(1)

: located at right angles to the plane of a supporting surface

(2)

: lying in the direction of an axis : lengthwise

2

a

: situated at the highest point : directly overhead or in the zenith

b

of an aerial photograph : taken with the camera pointing straight down or nearly so

3

a

: relating to, involving, or integrating economic activity from basic production to point of sale

a vertical monopoly

b

: of, relating to, or comprising persons of different status

the vertical arrangement of society

4

medical : relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by genetic inheritance or by a congenital or perinatal route

vertical inheritance

… decreasing the rate of vertical transmission of HIV to the fetus by two-thirds, so that the numbers of children with the condition are diminishing.

—Cynthia B. Cohen

compare horizontal sense 3

vertical noun

verticality

ˌvər-tə-ˈka-lə-tē 

noun

vertically

ˈvər-ti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

verticalness

ˈvər-ti-kəl-nəs 

noun

Synonyms of vertical

• standing
• perpendicular
• erect
• upright

Choose the Right Synonym for vertical

vertical, perpendicular, plumb mean being at right angles to a base line.

vertical suggests a line or direction rising straight upward toward a zenith.

the side of the cliff is almost vertical

perpendicular may stress the straightness of a line making a right angle with any other line, not necessarily a horizontal one.

the parallel bars are perpendicular to the support posts

plumb stresses an exact verticality determined (as with a plumb line) by earth's gravity.

make sure that the wall is plumb

Examples of vertical in a Sentence

a shirt with vertical stripes

the vertical axis of a graph

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond the unit itself, The Avery markets a full-service lifestyle — more of a vertical resort than traditional condo building — where the amenities are part of the pitch. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 31 Mar. 2026

His most successful offenses in Baltimore were built around one of the most dynamic, dual-threat quarterbacks in NFL history, Lamar Jackson, who could toggle between power run concepts, RPO-heavy designs, and vertical play-action shots. —Rowan Fisher-Shotton, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Mar. 2026

Two Layouts, Zero Decisions The plaza will feature vertical illuminated plaques honoring Wall of Fame members and Western New York history, with additional space to dedicate names inside the stadium itself. —Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 30 Mar. 2026

As a result, the drone's movement in any direction other than vertical can be achieved only by varying the individual rotor speeds. —Etiido Uko march 30, New Atlas, 30 Mar. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle French or Late Latin; Middle French, from Late Latin verticalis, from Latin vertic-, vertex

First Known Use

1559, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Phrases Containing vertical

• vertical angle
• vertical circle
• vertical file
• vertical union

Kids Definition

vertical

1 of 2 adjective

ver·​ti·​cal

ˈvərt-i-kəl

1

: directly overhead

2

: going straight up or down from a level surface

3

: of or relating to persons of higher or lower standing

a vertical social order

vertically

-k(ə-)lē

adverb

vertical

2 of 2 noun

1

: something (as a line or plane) that is vertical

2

: a vertical direction

Etymology

from early French vertical or Latin verticalis, both meaning "relating to a vertex, at the highest point overhead," from earlier Latin vertic-, vertex "top, highest point, pole (turning point), whirl," from vertere "to turn" — related to converse, reverse, universe, versatile

Medical Definition

vertical

adjective

ver·​ti·​cal ˈvərt-i-kəl 

: relating to or being transmission (as of a disease) by genetic inheritance or by a congenital or perinatal route

vertical transmission of the hepatitis B virus from mother to infant

vertical inheritance

compare horizontal sense 2

vertically

ˈvərt-i-k(ə-)lē 

adverb