What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
lateral
Example
The car was hit on the lateral side by another vehicle. [lateral: adjective]
Example
The athlete made a lateral move to avoid the defender. [lateral: noun]
Example
We need to take a lateral approach to solve this problem. [lateral: adjective]
peripheral
Example
The company is focusing on its peripheral business units. [peripheral: adjective]
Example
The issue is peripheral to the main topic of discussion. [peripheral: adjective]
Example
I need to buy a new peripheral for my computer. [peripheral: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Peripheral is more commonly used than lateral in everyday language, especially in abstract or figurative contexts. Lateral is more commonly used in physical contexts, such as sports or anatomy.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between lateral and peripheral?
Both lateral and peripheral are relatively formal words, but peripheral may be slightly more common in informal contexts due to its broader usage.
