What does bilateral mean?
Word: Bilateral
Part of Speech: Adjective
Meaning: Bilateral means involving two sides, two groups or two countries. In science and medicine it can also mean affecting both the left and right sides of the body.
Synonyms: two-sided, mutual
Antonyms: unilateral, one-sided
How do you spell bilateral?
Syllables: bi - lat - er - al
Tricky part: The first l is single, even though many words double a consonant after a short vowel. Students often write billateral.
Watch out for: billateral, bilaterel, bilateril
Memory tip: Picture the word as a see-saw with one l near each end, b-i-l and r-a-l, balancing the two sides.
Bilateral in a sentence
Example 1: The two schools signed a bilateral plan to share their science labs.
Example 2: The cricket boards of two neighbouring countries agreed on a bilateral series of five matches.
Example 3: The doctor said the swelling was bilateral, affecting both of his ankles.
Fun Fact
Most animals, including humans, butterflies and fish, have bilateral symmetry: a line drawn down the middle splits the body into two roughly matching halves.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Fusion
Choose the two parts that join to make a word meaning 'involving two sides':
1. bi 2. tri 3. uni 4. lateral 5. angle 6. cycle
a) 1 and 4
b) 1 and 6
c) 2 and 5
d) 3 and 4
Show answer
a) 1 and 4. Bi means two and lateral means to do with sides; unilateral is one-sided, while triangle and bicycle do not mean two-sided.
Spellacadabra
Which word has an extra letter that must be removed to spell it correctly?
a) several
b) bilatteral
c) literal
d) mineral
Show answer
b) bilatteral. Lateral has a single t, and so does bilateral.
Spell Spies
Choose the incorrectly spelt word:
a) diplomat
b) bilateral
c) agreemant
d) treaty
Show answer
c) agreemant. Agreement is agree + ment.
Word Tally
How many words are misspelt in the given sentence?
India and Japan signed a bilateral deal to work together on trade, science and clean enrgy.
a) 3
b) 0
c) 1
d) 2
Show answer
c) 1. Energy has lost its middle e; bilateral is written correctly.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Pick the bilateral event:
a) a summit of twenty nations
b) a diary kept by one minister
c) talks between India and Nepal
d) a speech given by one leader
Show answer
c) talks between India and Nepal
2. Bilateral hearing loss would affect ___.
a) both ears
b) neither ear
c) only the left ear
d) only the right ear
Show answer
a) both ears
