ENGLISH
REFERENCE

lateral

adj. · n. · v.
US //ˈɫætɝəɫ// UK //lˈætəɹəl// lat·er·al
  1. 1 to the side (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Technical Science

    relating to the side of something, rather than the front, back, or middle.

    relating to, situated at, or extending from the side. Often used in anatomical or technical descriptions to distinguish from medial or vertical planes.

    Example

    The bird has lateral stripes running along the side of its body.

    Example

    The surgeon made a lateral incision to avoid damaging the central nerves located along the patient's spine.
  2. 2 unconventional thinking (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate British English

    solving problems by using your imagination and looking at them from a new or unusual angle.

    referring to a method of problem-solving that avoids traditional step-by-step logic in favour of unconventional or creative associations.

    Example

    We need some lateral thinking to solve this tricky puzzle.

    Example

    The consultant encouraged lateral thinking, suggesting that the team abandon their linear approach to market expansion in favour of more radical alternatives.
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  1. 3 linguistics (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    describes a speech sound made by letting air escape around the sides of your tongue.

    pertaining to an articulation where the airflow is obstructed centrally by the tongue but allowed to escape along one or both sides.

    Example

    The 'l' sound in 'leaf' is a lateral consonant.

    Example

    Phoneticists categorise the English clear 'l' as an alveolar lateral approximant because the tongue tip touches the roof of the mouth while air flows past the sides.

  2. 4 business hire (n.)
    C1 Advanced Formal Business

    a person who is hired for a new job at the same level as their old one.

    a professional hire recruited from another organisation for a role at an equivalent level of seniority or compensation.

    Example

    The law firm brought in two new laterals to strengthen their tax department.

    Example

    The company prefers lateral hires for senior management roles as they bring immediate expertise without the need for extensive internal training.
    • peer hire
  3. 5 sport pass (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate American English Sport

    a pass in American football or rugby that goes sideways or backwards.

    a pass thrown in a direction parallel to the goal line or towards the passer's own goal.

    Example

    The quarterback threw a quick lateral to the running back.

    Example

    The play failed when the lateral was fumbled, allowing the opposing team to recover the ball deep in the red zone.
    • sideways pass
    • forward pass
  4. 6 to move sideways (v.)
    C1 Advanced Formal

    to move yourself or an object to the side.

    to move or transition in a sideways direction; frequently used in corporate contexts to describe moving to an equivalent role.

    Example

    She decided to lateral into a different department to learn new skills.

    Example

    Rather than seeking a promotion, he chose to lateral into the research division to broaden his technical portfolio.
Origin

Borrowed from Latin laterālis (“belonging to the side”), from latus (“the side or flank”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).

Word family

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