Who coined the term 'lateral thinking'?

The term was coined and popularized by Maltese British psychologist, author, and physician Edward de Bono in 1967.

Is lateral thinking the same as creativity?

No, it is a specific subset or method of creative thinking focused on changing concepts and perceptions to solve problems indirectly.

Can lateral thinking be taught?

Yes, de Bono and others developed specific techniques (like 'Six Thinking Hats', 'random entry', 'provocation') to systematically train lateral thinking skills.

Is it only for solving problems?

Primarily, but it's also used for innovation, generating new ideas, humor, and artistic creation by making unexpected connections.

lateral thinking

C1/C2

UK/ˌlæt.ər.əl ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/US/ˌlæt̬.ɚ.əl ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/

Formal to semi-formal; common in business, psychology, education, and creative fields.

My Flashcards

Definition

Meaning

An indirect, creative approach to problem-solving that uses reasoning that is not immediately obvious, often through viewing the problem from new or unexpected perspectives.

A method of thinking that deliberately seeks alternative perceptions and solutions by escaping established patterns, challenging assumptions, and making provocative connections between seemingly unrelated concepts.

Linguistics

Semantic Notes

The term is often used in contrast to 'vertical' or 'linear' thinking, which is logical, sequential, and direct. It emphasizes ideation and pattern-breaking over analysis and step-by-step deduction.

Dialectal Variation

British vs American Usage

Differences

No significant lexical or grammatical differences. The term is used identically in both varieties.

Connotations

Slightly more established in UK usage due to its popularization by British Maltese psychologist Edward de Bono in the late 1960s.

Frequency

Comparable frequency in both dialects; perhaps marginally more common in UK business/education jargon.

Vocabulary

Collocations

strong

apply lateral thinkingrequire lateral thinkinguse lateral thinkinglateral thinking exerciselateral thinking skills

medium

a bit of lateral thinkingspark lateral thinkingencourage lateral thinkingpromote lateral thinkingpuzzle requires lateral thinking

weak

creative lateral thinkingpure lateral thinkingclassic lateral thinkingsimple lateral thinkingeffective lateral thinking

Grammar

Valency Patterns

[subject] applied lateral thinking to [problem][problem] requires/calls for lateral thinkingto solve [problem] through lateral thinking

Vocabulary

Synonyms

Strong

ideationbrainstormingconceptual thinking

Neutral

creative thinkingdivergent thinkingnon-linear thinkingout-of-the-box thinking

Weak

imaginative thinkingindirect approachoblique thinking

Vocabulary

Antonyms

linear thinkingvertical thinkinglogical thinkingconvergent thinkingsequential thinking

Phrases

Idioms & Phrases

“think outside the box”
“a left-field idea”
“join the dots in a new way”

Usage

Context Usage

Business

Used to describe innovative strategies, marketing campaigns, or solutions to operational bottlenecks.

Academic

Found in psychology, education, and management literature on creativity and problem-solving.

Everyday

Used to suggest a clever, unconventional solution to a domestic or personal problem.

Technical

In engineering and design, refers to ideation techniques for novel product features or workarounds.

Examples

By Part of Speech

verb

British English

We need to lateral-think our way out of this contract issue.
She brilliantly lateral-thought a solution using spare parts.

American English

Let's lateral-think this marketing challenge.
He lateral-thought his approach to the design flaw.

adverb

British English

They tackled the problem very lateral-thinkingly.
He approached it quite lateral-thinkingly.

American English

She solved it lateral-thinkingly.
Try to think more lateral-thinkingly about this.

adjective

British English

It was a very lateral-thinking proposal.
We hired him for his lateral-thinking abilities.

American English

We need a more lateral-thinking approach.
Her lateral-thinking solution saved the project.

Examples

By CEFR Level

The puzzle was hard, so we tried some lateral thinking.
Sometimes you need lateral thinking to fix things at home.

The team applied lateral thinking to develop a cheaper manufacturing process.
Good managers encourage lateral thinking to find innovative solutions.

His lateral thinking circumvented the regulatory deadlock that had stymied the committee for months.
The consultancy is renowned for applying rigorous lateral thinking to systemic organizational problems.

Learning

Memory Aids

Mnemonic

Imagine a maze. Vertical thinking walks the corridors. LATERAL thinking climbs over the walls.

Conceptual Metaphor

THINKING IS MOVING; LATERAL THINKING IS MOVING SIDEWAYS (away from the direct path).

Watch out

Common Pitfalls

Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)

Avoid literal translation as 'боковое мышление' – it is opaque. Standard translation is 'латеральное мышление' or descriptive 'нестандартное мышление'.

Common Mistakes

Using it as a synonym for any creative thought (it specifically implies an indirect, pattern-breaking approach). Confusing with 'critical thinking'.
Incorrect plural: 'lateral thinkings' (uncountable).

Practice

Quiz

Fill in the gap

The classic 'nine dots' puzzle is a famous test of .

Multiple Choice

Which of the following is the BEST example of lateral thinking?

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

: The term was coined and popularized by Maltese British psychologist, author, and physician Edward de Bono in 1967.
: No, it is a specific subset or method of creative thinking focused on changing concepts and perceptions to solve problems indirectly.
: Yes, de Bono and others developed specific techniques (like 'Six Thinking Hats', 'random entry', 'provocation') to systematically train lateral thinking skills.
: Primarily, but it's also used for innovation, generating new ideas, humor, and artistic creation by making unexpected connections.