lateral

Meaning

Adj

1. To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
2. To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
3. To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
4. To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
5. Non-linear or unconventional, as in, lateral thinking.
6. (of a consonant, especially the English clear l) Pertaining to speech sounds generated by partially blocking the egress of the airstream with the tongue, leaving space on one or both sides of the occlusion for air passage.

Noun

1. An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.
2. A sound produced through lateral pronunciation (such as /l/ in lateral).
3. A lateral pass.
4. An employee hired for a position at the same organizational level or salary as their previous position.

Verb

1. To move (oneself or something) in a lateral direction.
2. To execute a lateral pass.

Synonyms

side

flank

sidelong

sidelight

lateral pass

horizontal

sideways

collateral

indirect

flanking

leg

🦵

oblique

parallel

parietal

sideward

slanting

spur

transversal

transverse

towards the side

being on the side

gradient curve

lateral sewer

tributary line

across

spurline

aslant

bevel

branching

branch line

circuitous

costal

devious

feeder line

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈlæt.ə.ɹəl/

Etymology

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