laterally

Everyday

1. Laterally means sideways, or to the side. tree →
2. To think laterally is to solve a problem in an unusual, creative way instead of the obvious one. tree →

In the lessons

In science and sport it describes movement to the side (crabs walk laterally); in puzzles and olympiad questions «lateral thinking» means looking for a clever, unexpected answer.

Examples

• Crabs move laterally across the sand. tree →
• The pass went laterally across the pitch. tree →
• The bridge can move laterally a little in strong wind. tree →
• Try to think laterally about this riddle. tree →
• The fish has eyes placed laterally, on the sides of its head. tree →
• Lateral thinking puzzles need you to think laterally. tree →

Note

Adverb from the adjective «lateral» (to the side). Spelled with «-ally». «Lateral thinking» was named by Edward de Bono. In maths, a «lateral face» is a side face of a prism or pyramid, not the top or bottom.