Meaning & use

vertical

adjective·Everyday

Positioned upright, at a right angle to the horizon or a flat surface.

See it in a sentence

The climbers scaled a nearly vertical rock face without any ropes.

The architect designed a striking vertical garden along the building's entrance.

A note on using this word

In business, "vertical" as a noun refers to a specific industry or market segment, a very different sense from the geometric meaning.

Words with a similar meaning

Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.

Words with an opposite meaning

horizontal

Another way to use it

2. noun

A specific industry or market sector that a company focuses its business on.

The startup focused on the healthcare vertical before expanding elsewhere.

Make it your own

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