What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
laterally
Example
The athlete moved laterally to avoid the defender. [laterally: adverb]
Example
The company needs to improve its laterally communication to ensure all departments are working together effectively. [laterally: adjective]
Example
The cancer has spread laterally to the surrounding tissues. [laterally: adverb]
horizontally
Example
The bookshelf was placed horizontally against the wall. [horizontally: adverb]
Example
The designer arranged the images horizontally across the page. [horizontally: adverb]
Example
The company plans to expand horizontally by adding new product lines. [horizontally: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Horizontally is more commonly used than laterally in everyday language. Horizontally is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while laterally is less common and often used in technical or specialized fields.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between laterally and horizontally?
Both laterally and horizontally can be used in formal or informal contexts, but laterally may be perceived as more technical or specialized due to its association with medical or scientific terminology.
