rhizoverbBeta
DictionaryverticalUpright direction
adjective / noun

vertical

VER-tih-kul/ˈvɜːrtɪkl/

Extending straight up and down.

The plumb line hangs in a vertical position beside the wall.

A plumb line hangs perfectly straight vertically beside a wall.
Etymology
verticLatinhighest point
+alLatinrelating to

From “relating to the highest point,” vertical first described something directly overhead. That overhead position supplied the direction: straight up and down, perpendicular to the horizon.

In context

WIRED2:30
so you throw it nice and vertical straight up and down it'll curve around and come back
How This Guy Became a World Champion Boomerang Thrower | WIRED

More examples

  • She draws a vertical line down the middle of the page.
  • The shelves form a vertical stack beside the desk.
  • The post tilts slightly away from the vertical.

Forms

vertical · verticals

vertically adverb — In a straight up-and-down direction.

Similar words

upright
Emphasizes standing straight rather than lying down or leaning.
perpendicular
Means at a right angle to a particular surface.