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Glite Dictionary
lateral thinking

lateral thinking

1 5.3
A way to solve problems by looking at them from new angles
  • noun
  • /ˈlætərəl ˈθɪŋkɪŋ/
: pensamiento lateral
  • In addition to thinking critically and strategically, embrace lateral thinking.

That's why children are absolutely amazing at their lateral thinking or the ability to think across different domains within an instant.

Examples

  • Some people call this critical or lateral thinking, and it is fundamental to all scientific disciplines.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Using lateral thinking, you make connections that are invisible to others with more.

    Blog text (32)

  • Chamberlin (1890) espouses a worldview that values lateral thinking and multiple possibilities.

    Academic text (2007)

  • Edward DeBono advises us to use lateral thinking (as opposed to vertical or logical, linear thinking) as a way to overcome stances that have become cast in concrete.

    Academic text (1992)

  • Using lateral thinking, I found a solution that everyone else had overlooked.

  • She employed lateral thinking to create an innovative marketing strategy.

  • In class, we often practice lateral thinking to enhance our problem-solving skills.

Synonyms

creative thinking
vslateral thinking
5 3.7

Thinking in new ways to make things or solve problems

focuses specifically on finding different angles rather than general creativity
out-of-the-box thinking
vslateral thinking
  • Jargon
1 4.6

A way to find new, creative ideas to solve problems

uses different angles rather than step by step logical methods
synectics
vslateral thinking
  • Specialized
9.9

A way of solving problems by putting different ideas together to make new ones

focuses on new angles not necessarily by linking unrelated concepts
divergent thinking
vslateral thinking
6.3

A way of thinking that comes up with many different ideas to solve a problem

emphasizes different angles rather than producing many ideas

Antonyms

logical thinking
1 3.7

A careful use of reason to solve problems

conventionalism
  • Formal
8.1

A preference for usual ways of thinking or behaving, for example in art

How Creative

lateral thinking
1 5.3

Surface Forms

lateral thinking singular
lateral thinkings plural

Morphology

lateral + thinking

The phrase combines 'lateral' (of or relating to a side) with 'thinking' (use of the mind), so the image of 'thinking from the side' or 'from different angles' is derivable from the constituents. However, the shift from a physical side to a figurative problem-solving strategy and its status as a specific cognitive technique may not be fully predictable to a B1 learner, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Lateral thinking gives a simple picture: lateral means 'to the side', so imagine walking around a problem to find a new way in. That's why lateral thinking means using 'new or different angles' to solve a problem.