German word

waagrecht

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvaːkʁɛçt/

Meaning

  • adjectivehorizontal

Example

Ein waagrechter Strich trennt die Felder.

A horizontal line separates the fields.

Illustration for waagrecht (horizontal)

More examples

Die Wasserwaage zeigt waagrecht an.

The spirit level shows that it is horizontal.

Core concept

A straight line or surface runs level from side to side, like a shelf held evenly at both ends.

Common phrases

  • waagrecht liegen

    lie horizontally

  • waagrecht halten

    hold horizontally

  • waagrecht verlaufen

    run horizontally

Similar words

horizontal: Running parallel to a level reference surface.
senkrecht: At a right angle to a baseline or surface.
schräg: Set at an angle rather than level or upright.

Definition in German

Waagrecht beschreibt eine Lage ohne Neigung, also eine Fläche oder Linie, die auf gleicher Höhe verläuft.

Word origin

Waagrecht is a shortened form of waagerecht, built from Waage, 'scales' or 'balance', and recht, 'straight'.

Usage tips

  • Waagrecht is especially common in southern Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, while waagerecht is more widespread elsewhere in German-speaking areas.

Other meanings

  • horizontallyadverb

Opposites

  • senkrechtverticaladjective
  • vertikalverticaladjective

Related words

  • Waagerechtehorizontal linenoun

Word lists with this word