WordGarden.iolateral
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /lˈætərəl/
US
- /ˈlætərəl/
Meanings
Adjective
of, at, or toward the side rather than the center
at the same rank or level in an organization rather than higher or lower
indirect and creative in problem-solving rather than straightforward
More meaningsFewer meanings
farther from the body's midline or on its outer side
Noun
a sideways or backward pass to a teammate, especially in football
Beyond the definition
Imagine a tree—it grows up vertically, but its branches stretch out horizontally. That outward movement is lateral! It describes something happening on the side, or moving sideways rather than straight ahead. Think of a "lateral pass" in football—a pass thrown to a teammate beside or behind the player, not downfield. You might also use "lateral" to describe an indirect approach; thinking laterally means finding creative solutions by looking at things from a different angle.
Lateral isn't just about direction; it can also refer to the sides of something. For instance, doctors often talk about "lateral movement" when describing how far you can move your limbs away from the midline of your body. A lateral thinker might solve a problem by approaching it sideways, rather than head-on, uncovering possibilities that others miss by only looking forward.
The word "lateral" comes from the Latin lateralis, meaning "of the side." At its core, it describes something relating to or situated on the side, or moving in a sideways direction. This concept is incredibly versatile across many different fields.
Literally, lateral refers to horizontal movement or position. A "lateral line" on a fish is a specialized organ that helps it detect vibrations in the water, running along the length of its sides. In anatomy, "lateral" is the standard term used to describe structures positioned away from the midline of the body—for example, your ears are lateral to your nose.
However, "lateral" extends far beyond physical descriptions. It is frequently used figuratively to mean indirect or unconventional. "Lateral thinking," a term popularized by Edward de Bono, describes a problem-solving method that rejects traditional, step-by-step logic. Instead of following the obvious path, lateral thinkers explore alternative angles and unexpected associations. Think of it as finding a clever roundabout route when everyone else is stuck in a traffic jam!
You might also encounter "lateral" in geography or industry. You might see "lateral branches" of a river or a "lateral moraine" formed by debris deposited at the side of a glacier. In the professional world, a "lateral move" refers to a job change within the same company or industry at the same pay grade or level. It is a strategic way to broaden one's skills and experience without necessarily climbing the next rung of the corporate ladder.
So, whether it's describing direction, anatomy, problem-solving, or career paths, "lateral" signifies something happening on the side, moving horizontally, or approaching a challenge in an indirect—yet potentially brilliant—way.
Examples
- 1
Sports training
The coach made us practice lateral movement before we played defense.
- 2
Everyday movement
She took a lateral step to avoid the puddle.
- 3
Medical location
The doctor said the pain was lateral to the kneecap.
- Domainin medical or body descriptions, lateral to + body part
on the side of it
- 4
Problem solving
We need some lateral thinking to solve this problem.
- Phraselateral thinking
finding new or indirect ways to solve a problem
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Job change
Moving to the marketing team was a lateral move, not a promotion.
- Phrasea lateral move
a change to a different job at the same level
- 6
American football
In American football, the runner made a lateral to a teammate near the sideline.
- Domainin American football, a lateral
a sideways or backward pass
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- lateral movement
- lateral side
- lateral pass
Word family
Explore
- anatomical direction
- orientation
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- lateralnounadjective
Forms
- lateralspluralnounadjective