What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
sideward
Example
The car made a sideward turn to avoid hitting the pedestrian. [sideward: adjective]
Example
She gave him a sideward glance before turning back to her work. [sideward: adverb]
Example
The building had a sideward lean due to the uneven foundation. [sideward: adjective]
lateral
Example
The football player made a lateral pass to his teammate. [lateral: adjective]
Example
The company implemented a lateral move policy to encourage employee growth. [lateral: noun]
Example
The MRI showed a lateral shift in the patient's spine. [lateral: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Lateral is more commonly used than sideward in everyday language, especially in technical or scientific contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between sideward and lateral?
Lateral is generally considered more formal than sideward, which is more informal and less commonly used.
