WordLens

collateral

1 of 2adjective
/kə.ˈlæ.tɜ.rəl/
1

additional but less important, often connected to a main element

  • While the primary objective of the project was to enhance customer satisfaction, there were collateral advantages, including increased brand loyalty.
  • The implementation of the new software had collateral consequences, leading to temporary disruptions in the workflow.
  • Although the primary goal was to enhance data security, the new encryption protocols had a collateral effect on system performance, resulting in slower processing times.
  • The campaign's collateral damage included a few misunderstandings among the team.
  • The flood caused collateral losses, affecting nearby properties but not the main area of damage.
Synonyms:
concomitantaccompanyingconsequentensuantsequentattendantincidentalancillaryresultant
2

descended from a shared ancestor, but through a side branch rather than a direct lineage

  • The family reunion included both direct and collateral descendants, all tracing back to the same great-grandparent.
  • Her collateral relatives were distant cousins, with no immediate blood tie but a shared ancestral connection.
  • The document provided information on collateral branches of the family tree that had been overlooked.
  • Although not in the direct line, the collateral descendants still inherited a portion of the family legacy.
  • He found several collateral relatives through research, expanding his understanding of his extended family.
Synonyms:
indirect
Antonyms:
lineal
3

situated alongside something

  • The road runs collateral to the railway tracks, allowing for efficient transportation and connectivity.
  • Adjacent to the main building, there is a collateral structure that houses additional offices.
  • In the art gallery, the sculptures were arranged collateral to each other, creating an immersive display of three-dimensional art.
  • The collateral veins in the plant allowed it to survive despite the damage to the main stem.
  • Collateral branches extended from the tree, providing additional support to the main trunk.
Synonyms:
parallel
4

providing additional support or context

  • The lawyer presented collateral evidence to strengthen the case.
  • Collateral research helped provide additional context for the study.
  • The collateral documents supported the main argument in the report.
  • They provided collateral data to back up their findings.
Synonyms:
corroborativeverificatorysupportingsubstantiatingvalidatingsubstantiativecorroboratoryconfirmativeverifyingconfirmingconfirmatoryvalidatory