How to Pronounce Lateral

To pronounce "lateral", say LAT-er-al — 3 syllables, IPA /ˈlæt.ɹəl/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

lateral

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Accent

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Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

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Syllables

Letters

/ˈlæt.ɹəl/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “lateral”

"lateral" has 3 syllables: lat-er-al. It rhymes with collateral and bilateral, if that helps it stick.

What does lateral mean?

noun

An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.
A sound produced through lateral pronunciation (such as /l/ in lateral).

verb

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

adjective

To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
“Instead of a promotion, I opted for a lateral move to a similar position in the marketing department.”
Non-linear or unconventional, as in, lateral thinking.

Synonyms

side sidely

Antonyms

medial longitudinal vertical

Hear “lateral” in real sentences

Real example sentences from Tatoeba (CC-BY) — tap to hear each one, or see it used on YouGlish.

Words that rhyme with lateral

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

collateral bilateral unilateral trilateral multilateral plurilateral

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "lateral"?▾

"Lateral" has 3 syllables: lat · er · al.

What is the IPA transcription of "lateral"?▾

The IPA transcription of "lateral" is /ˈlæt.ɹəl/.

What does "lateral" mean?▾

Lateral: An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.

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