English · Word Candidate

collateral

/kəˈlætəɹəl/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: collaterals

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Parallel, in the same vein, side by side.

Adjective

Examples

Her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and medial collateral ligament (MCL) are torn and Vonn has a lateral fracture of the tibial plateau, the upper end of the tibia or shin bone.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Corresponding; accompanying, concomitant.

Adjective

Examples

Yet the attempt may give / Collateral interest to this homely tale.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

A security or guarantee (usually an asset) pledged for the repayment of a loan if one cannot procure enough funds to repay.

Noun

Examples

"The decline in the quality of eligible collateral is a grave problem. The ECB is now buying corporate bonds that are close to junk, and the haircuts can barely deal with a one-notch credit downgrade. The reputational risk of such actions by a central bank would have been unthinkable in the past."

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 4

Meaning · English

A branch of a bodily part or system of organs.

Noun

Examples

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

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “collateral” mean?

Parallel, in the same vein, side by side.

Is “collateral” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.