French word

collatéral

Pronunciation

IPA/kolateʁal/

Meaning

  • adjectivesecondary

Example

Ce médicament peut provoquer des effets collatéraux.

This medication can cause side effects.

Illustration for collatéral (secondary)

More examples

La décision a un impact collatéral sur les employés.

The decision has a collateral impact on the employees.

Core concept

A secondary element that accompanies a central one rather than forming its main part.

Common phrases

  • effets collatéraux

    side effects

  • impact collatéral

    collateral impact

Similar words

secondaire: Less important than the main thing and secondary in status.
supplémentaire: Provided in addition to what already exists as extra or supplementary material.
accessoire: Accompanying the main thing while adding functional or visual support.

Definition in French

Qui est accessoire par rapport à quelque chose de principal et qui s'y ajoute de façon secondaire.

Word origin

The French adjective collatéral developed from Latin collateralis, meaning 'situated beside', with the sense of something additional arising from its position alongside a main thing.

Usage tips

  • As an adjective, collatéral agrees in gender and number: collatérale, collatéraux, and collatérales.

Opposites

Word lists with this word