vertical
gb/vˈɚtɪkəl/ us/vˈɚtɪkəl/
A2
English
~ 4300
Senses
0 senses
adjective
A2
property
1
upright, perpendicular to the ground
Standing straight up, not leaning or lying down.
Usage pattern:
[something] is vertical
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'vertical' with 'horizontal', which is flat and parallel to the ground.
Synonyms
upright (Often used for objects or posture; slightly less technical than 'vertical'.)
|
perpendicular (More technical; emphasizes the 90-degree relationship to a base line or surface.)
Antonyms
horizontal (Describes something flat and parallel to the ground, opposite of upright.)
Collocations
vertical line
|vertical position
|vertical axis
|vertical surface
|vertical structure
Themes
geometry
|daily life
|design
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The pole must remain perfectly vertical for safety.
- Draw a vertical line down the center of the page.
- The skyscraper's vertical design makes it stand out in the skyline.
- Keep the ladder vertical before you climb it.
Learner examples
- The tree is vertical.
- He drew a vertical line.
- The building is vertical.
- Hold the stick vertical.
Noun
technical
B1
relation
2
upright direction or position
A line or direction that goes straight up and down.
Usage pattern:
the vertical of [something]
Common mistake:
Some learners use 'vertical' as a noun incorrectly without an article when referring to a specific object.
Synonyms
upright (Can refer to the same direction but often less precise or technical.)
Antonyms
horizontal (The flat direction parallel to the ground, opposite of vertical.)
Collocations
true vertical
|plumb vertical
|find the vertical
Themes
geometry
|engineering
|space
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The surveyor checked if the post was in the true vertical.
- Hold the camera so its frame aligns with the vertical.
- The pendulum always returns to the vertical when still.
Learner examples
- The line shows the vertical.
- He checked the vertical of the pole.
- The picture is not in the vertical.
adjective
technical
B2
property
3
related to height dimension
About the up-and-down part of something like a chart or building.
Synonyms
upright (General term; does not specifically refer to measurements or axes.)
Antonyms
horizontal (Refers to width dimension; opposite of height dimension.)
Collocations
vertical axis
|vertical measurement
|vertical scaling
Themes
mathematics
|engineering
|space
|science
Examples
- The vertical axis represents time in this chart.
- Engineers increased the vertical clearance of the bridge.
- The diagram shows both vertical and horizontal measurements.
Learner examples
- The chart has a vertical axis.
- They measured the vertical distance.
- The graph shows vertical lines.
Grammar
Dictionary form
vertical
IPA
GB/vˈɚtɪkəl/
US/vˈɚtɪkəl/
Syllables & stress
ver - tic - al (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (ver)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: vertical
Noun
- Base: vertical
- Plural: verticals
Word family
Forms
verticals
noun
Core family
vertically
adverb
Negative and opposite forms
horizontal
adjective B1
horizontally
adverb
Advanced or less common
verticality
noun
Expressions
vertical takeoff
1/vˈɚtɪkəl tˈeɪkˌɔf/
fixed phrase
technical
aircraft ascent straight upward
When an aircraft goes up into the air without moving forward first.
Examples
- The jet is capable of vertical takeoff and landing.
- Vertical takeoff allows planes to operate from small areas.
vertical integration
1/vˈɚtɪkəl ˌɪntɪɡɹˈeɪʃən/
fixed phrase
business
control over multiple production stages
When one company owns different steps in making and selling a product.
Examples
- The company pursued vertical integration to control its supply chain.
- Vertical integration can reduce costs and improve efficiency.