# horizontally

/ˌhɔɹɪˈzɑntəɫi/ (US) · /hˌɒɹɪzˈɒntəli/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adverb

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/horizontally
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

in a flat position, like the line where the sky meets the sea. You use this to describe things that go from left to right rather than up and down.

For teachers: parallel to the plane of the horizon; at right angles to the vertical. Often describes the orientation of objects or the direction of movement across a surface.

## Examples

- The stripes on his shirt run horizontally.
- To save space in the small apartment, we stacked the books vertically rather than laying them horizontally on the shelf.
- The data is arranged horizontally across the spreadsheet, with each row representing a unique participant and each column representing a specific variable in the study.

## Usage notes

- Typically follows the verb it modifies or appears at the end of the clause.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.