WordValebilateral
involving two countries or parties
In more detail
1. (adjective) involving two sides or two parties
2. (adjective) affecting or relating to both sides of something
Examples
- 1. The two countries signed a bilateral trade agreement to reduce tariffs.
- 2. The patient suffered bilateral hearing loss in both ears.
How to use bilateral
Bilateral is used in formal contexts to describe arrangements, agreements, or physical features involving two equal or corresponding parties or sides. In diplomacy and law, it emphasizes mutual obligation between two parties; in anatomy or biology, it describes symmetrical structures. It is more precise and formal than 'two-sided' and often appears in official or technical language.
Common phrases
- bilateral agreement
- bilateral negotiations
- bilateral trade
- bilateral relationship
- bilateral symmetry
- bilateral contract
Synonyms
two-sided · reciprocal · mutual · dual · symmetric
Opposites
unilateral · one-sided
Word family
bilaterally (adverb) · bilateralism (noun)
A common mistake
Learners sometimes confuse bilateral with multilateral (involving multiple parties) or use it when they mean unilateral; bilateral specifically requires two parties.
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