How to pronounce lateral
Say it like LAT-uh-rul. Lateral has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce lateral. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- LAT
- uh
- rul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Lateral pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- LATSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- rulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of lateral
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: LAT-uh-rul.
What does lateral mean?
- a pass to a receiver upfield from the passer
- situated at or extending to the side“the lateral branches of a tree”“shot out sidelong boughs”
- lying away from the median and sagittal plane of a body“lateral lemniscus”
Where does lateral come from?
Borrowed from Latin laterālis (“belonging to the side”), from latus (“the side or flank”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix).
Questions about saying lateral
How do you pronounce lateral?
Say LAT-uh-rul. The American pronunciation is /ˈlætərəl/. In British English it is /ˈlætərəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in lateral?
Lateral has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (LAT). Broken into parts: LAT · uh · rul.
Is lateral pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t. The British form is /ˈlætərəl/ (LAT-uh-rul).