Spanish Conversation · Level 120
60 words
Spanish word
unilateral
Pronunciation
IPA/unilateˈɾal/
Meaning
- adjectiveone-sided
Example
La crítica fue unilateral.
The criticism was one-sided.
More examples
El gobierno tomó una decisión unilateral.
The government made a unilateral decision.
Core concept
An action taken by only one side without the others' agreement.
Common phrases
decisión unilateral
unilateral decision
medida unilateral
unilateral measure
acción unilateral
unilateral action
Similar words
parcial: View or behavior that treats one side preferentially and lacks neutrality.
exclusivo: Ownership or privilege that belongs only to a single person or group.
impositivo: Compulsory demand or rule that one side enforces on others without asking consent.
Definition in Spanish
Que procede o afecta a un solo lado sin acuerdo o participación de las otras partes involucradas.
Word origin
From Latin unus 'one' and latus 'side', the adjective denotes something that proceeds from or affects a single side without the participation of others.
Usage tips
- Unilateral does not mean único or solo; it emphasizes imbalance or lack of agreement rather than numerical uniqueness.
Other meanings
- unilateraladjective
Opposites
- bilateralbilateraladjective
- multilateralmultilateraladjective
Related words
- unilateralidadunilateralitynoun
- unilateralmenteunilaterallyadverb