how to pronounce lateral

/ˈlætɚəl/

audio example by a male speaker

audio example by a female speaker

the above transcription of lateral is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

lateral is pronounced in three syllables

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1.

2.

3. example pitch curve for pronunciation of lateral

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video examples of lateral pronunciation

An example use of lateral in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… to take a lateral move to become the …”

meanings of lateral

adjective:

Non-linear or unconventional, as in, lateral thinking.
Pertaining to the left or right of the body; further from the midline.
To the side; of or pertaining to the side.
At right angles to a line of motion or strain.
Pertaining to sounds generated by partially blocking the egress of the airstream with the tip of the tongue touching the alveolar ridge, leaving space on one or both sides of the occlusion for air passage.

noun:

An employee hired for a position at the same organizational level or salary as their previous position.
An object, such as a passage or a protrusion, that is situated on the side of something else.
A lateral pass.
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.

lateral frequency in english - C2+ level of CEFR

the word lateral occurs in english on average 1.7 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C2+ level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.