English dictionary

collateral Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of collateral?

The plural of collateral is collaterals.

kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl

What Does Collateral Mean?

Collateral is used as a noun meaning property (such as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender. It can also mean a collateral relative. As an adjective, it means accompanying as secondary or subordinate.

Quick Facts About Collateral

Part of speech	noun, adjective
Pronunciation	/kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl/
Syllables	4
Synonyms	oblique, parallel and secondary
Antonyms	direct and lineal
Plural	collaterals
Adverb	collaterally

Collateral Definition (Noun)

property (such as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender
a collateral relative
A collateral inherited the estate.
a branch of a bodily part (such as a vein)
informational materials (such as brochures and fact sheets) used in selling a product or service to a prospective customer or buyer
Attendees can expect to make approximately 50 new business contacts and should … have an ample supply of business cards, marketing collateral and anything else to help potential leads remember them.

Collateral as an Adjective

accompanying as secondary or subordinate : concomitant
digress into collateral matters
indirect
no direct objection, but a few collateral ones
serving to support or reinforce : ancillary
Collateral evidence was presented at the trial.
belonging to the same ancestral stock but not in a direct line of descent compare lineal
Brothers, cousins, uncles, and nephews are collateral kinsmen.
parallel, coordinate, or corresponding in position, order, time, or significance
collateral states like Athens and Sparta
of, relating to, or being collateral used as security (as for payment of a debt or performance of a contract)
secured by collateral
a collateral loan secured by stocks and bonds deposited with the lender

Synonyms of Collateral

oblique parallel secondary indirect validating supportive corroborative confirming confirmative verifying substantiating substantiative confirmatory validatory corroboratory verificatory

Collateral synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Collateral

direct lineal

Collateral in a Sentence

collateral damage

Although not a direct cause, the border skirmish was certainly a collateral incitement for the war.

a collateral descendant

Uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces are collateral relatives.

collateral pressure

Besides the arteries blood streams through numerous veins we call collaterals.

A collateral inherited the estate.

Attendees can expect to make approximately 50 new business contacts and should … have an ample supply of business cards, marketing collateral and anything else to help potential leads remember them.

digress into collateral matters

no direct objection, but a few collateral ones

Collateral evidence was presented at the trial.

Brothers, cousins, uncles, and nephews are collateral kinsmen.

collateral states like Athens and Sparta

a collateral loan secured by stocks and bonds deposited with the lender

Word Forms & Grammar

col·lat·er·als

collateral

collaterals

col·lat·er·al·i·ty noun

col·lat·er·al·ly adverb

collateralities

collaterality

collaterally

collateral (not comparable)

collateral (countable and uncountable, plural collaterals)

Words That Rhyme With Collateral

lateral bilateral unilateral trilateral multilateral plurilateral

Origin of Collateral

Origin 1: derivative of collateral:2, in sense 1 as short for collateral security

Origin 2: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Medieval Latin collateralis, from Latin com- + lateralis lateral

Origin 3: Recorded since c.1378, from Old French, from Medieval Latin collaterālis, from Latin col- (“together with”) (a form of con-) + the stem of latus (“side”). By surface analysis, col- +‎ lateral.

First Known Use

1691

14th century

How Do You Say Collateral?

Collateral is pronounced /kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl/ and has 4 syllables, with the main stress on the second syllable (la).

Questions People Ask About Collateral

Is collateral a noun or an adjective?

Collateral is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as an adjective.

What is another word for collateral?

Words with a similar meaning to collateral include oblique, parallel and secondary. See the full list of collateral synonyms and antonyms.