vertical

Universal Words adjective, noun adjective 1 (of a line, pole, etc.) going straight up or down from a level surface or from top to bottom in a picture, etc: the vertical axis of the graph * The cliff was almost vertical. * There was a vertical drop to the ocean. compareHORIZONTAL 2 having a structure in which there are top, middle and bottom levels: a vertical flow of communication vertically adverb: The cliffs rose up vertically out of the water. noun (usually the vertical) a vertical line or position SYNPERPENDICULAR: The wall is several degrees off the vertical.