Horizontal
ˌhɔːrɪˈzɒntəl
Definitions
2 meaningsParallel to the horizon; level; at right angles to the vertical.
ˌhɔːrɪˈzɒntəl
Parallel to the horizon; level.
The painting hung horizontally on the wall.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're looking out at the sea – the line where the water and sky meet is horizontal! Anything that goes along that line is horizontal, like a flat shelf or a table.
👶 For kids: Something that goes from side to side, like when you stretch your arms out.
More Examples
The shelf was perfectly horizontal.
The bridge deck extends in a horizontal plane over the river.
How It's Used
"The horizontal lines of the building give it a sense of stability."
"Horizontal distance is measured along a line parallel to the ground."
"Ensure the pipe is perfectly horizontal before installing."
A line or plane parallel to the horizon.
ˌhɔːrɪˈzɒntəl
A horizontal line or plane.
The artist used a series of horizontals to create a sense of spaciousness.
💡 Simply: Sometimes, 'horizontal' can also be the name for that flat, side-to-side line we talked about. Like, in a drawing, the horizontal is the line you draw from one side of the paper to the other.
👶 For kids: It can also be the name for that straight line going from side to side, like the edge of a book when it's lying flat.
More Examples
The structural integrity depends on maintaining the horizontal.
He drew a horizontal across the page.
How It's Used
"The artist used strong horizontal lines to create a sense of calm."
"The horizontal of the structure needs reinforcement."
Idioms & expressions
horizontal integration
The process by which a company increases production of goods or services at the same part of the supply chain.
"The company pursued horizontal integration by acquiring its main competitors."
From Late Latin *horizontalis*, from *horizon* (the line where the earth and sky meet) + *-alis* (adjective suffix). The horizon itself comes from the Greek word *horizein*, meaning 'to bound' or 'to limit'.
Used since the 17th century, initially in astronomy and surveying to describe lines or planes parallel to the horizon.
Memory tip
Think of a straight line like the horizon you see at the beach.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: horizon