# lateral

> English word · Adjective · IPA /ˈlæt(ə)ɹəl/ · frequency rank #10,387

## Definitions
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.

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

## Easily confused with
- **liberal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lateral-vs-liberal)
- **literal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lateral-vs-literal)
- **laterally** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/lateral-vs-laterally)
- **later** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/later-vs-lateral)

## Common misspellings (10)
`alteral`, `laetral`, `latearl`, `laterall`, `laterla`, `laterral`, `latreal`, `latteral`, `llateral`, `ltaeral`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/lateral