lateral thinking

[ lat-er-uhl thing-king ]

/ ˈlæt ər əl ˈθɪŋ kɪŋ /

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See synonyms for lateral thinking on Thesaurus.com

noun

an approach to problem solving that involves nontraditional thought processes such as free association of ideas, creative analogy, pattern recognition, intuition, etc.: This position requires lateral thinking, collaborative skills, and the ability to deal with ambiguity.Compare vertical thinking.

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Origin of lateral thinking

Coined in 1967 by Maltese psychologist E. de Bono (1933–2021)

Words nearby lateral thinking

lateral meristem, lateral moraine, lateral pass, lateral resistance, lateral system, lateral thinking, Lateran, Lateran Council, Lateran Palace, Later Han, laterigrade

How to use lateral thinking in a sentence

While Huckabee is thinking about his run for president, I thought it was time to think about Huckabee.
The Devil in Mike Huckabee|Dean Obeidallah|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But the ads are not just intended to remind the Google-curious that Paul exists and is thinking about running for president.
Rand Paul’s Passive-Aggressive Trolling Campaign|Olivia Nuzzi|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is hard to feel attached to where you are if you are always thinking of where you have been or where you are going.
Will Texas Stay Texan?|David Fontana|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Our quest for better leaders—“Change we can believe in”— is wishful thinking.
Red Tape Is Strangling Good Samaritans|Philip K. Howard|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST

I was thinking about retiring from modeling, but spending that time with them rekindled that bug.
Porn Stars on the Year in Porn: Drone Erotica, Belle Knox, and Wild Sex|Aurora Snow|December 27, 2014|DAILY BEAST
I do not care very much how you censor or select the reading and talking and thinking of the schoolboy or schoolgirl.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
He, with others, thinking the miss-sahib had gone to church, was smoking the hookah of gossip in a neighboring compound.
The Red Year|Louis Tracy
He desired his secretary to go to the devil, but, thinking better of it, he recalled him as he reached the door.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini
But you are mistaken in thinking the force west consists of the entire Merrill Horse.
The Courier of the Ozarks|Byron A. Dunn
Bernard sat thinking for a long time; at first with a good deal of mortification—at last with a good deal of bitterness.
Confidence|Henry James

British Dictionary definitions for lateral thinking

lateral thinking

noun

a way of solving problems by rejecting traditional methods and employing unorthodox and apparently illogical means

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

lateral thinking

Origin of lateral thinking

Words nearby lateral thinking

Words related to lateral thinking

How to use lateral thinking in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for lateral thinking