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REFERENCE

horizontal

adj. · n.
US //ˌhɔɹəˈzɑntəɫ// UK //hˌɒɹɪzˈɒntəl// hor·i·zon·tal
  1. 1 flat or level (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    flat and level; parallel to the ground rather than going up and down.

    parallel to the plane of the horizon; at right angles to the vertical.

    Example

    The carpenter used a tool to make sure the shelf was perfectly horizontal.

    Example

    The architect emphasised the horizontal lines of the building to help it blend into the flat landscape of the surrounding plains.
  2. 2 successive notes (adj.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Music

    describing music where notes are played one after another in a melody.

    relating to the sequential progression of notes in a melody rather than the simultaneous notes of a chord.

    Example

    The teacher explained that a melody is a horizontal arrangement of notes.

    Example

    The composer focused on the horizontal development of the fugue, ensuring each melodic line remained distinct within the polyphonic texture.
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  1. 3 disease transmission (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Medicine

    the spread of a disease between individuals of the same generation.

    relating to the transmission of an infectious agent between members of the same generation, rather than from parent to offspring.

    Example

    The virus spread through horizontal transmission among the students in the dorm.

    Example

    Public health officials monitored the horizontal transmission of the pathogen within the community to determine if social distancing measures were effective.
  2. 4 sexual (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Humorous Informal

    a polite or funny way to talk about sex.

    used as a euphemism for sexual activity, referring to the typical physical position during intercourse.

    Example

    They were enjoying some horizontal exercise on their afternoon off.

    Example

    The tabloid used a variety of horizontal metaphors to describe the celebrity's latest romantic scandal without being explicitly graphic.
  3. 5 a flat part (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    a part of a structure or a line that is flat and level.

    a horizontal line, plane, or structural component.

    Example

    The artist drew several strong horizontals to represent the sea.

    Example

    The engineer checked the horizontals of the steel frame to ensure the weight was distributed evenly across the foundation.
Origin

Borrowed from Middle French horizontal, from horizon, horizonte, from Latin horizōn (stem horizont-).

Word family
Idioms5 entries

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