Collateral — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

noun adjective /kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl/ col·lat·er·al

Meaning & Definition of Collateral

Collateral (noun)

  1. property (such as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender
  2. a collateral relative
  3. a branch of a bodily part (such as a vein)

Collateral (adjective)

  1. accompanying as secondary or subordinate, concomitant
  2. indirect
  3. serving to support or reinforce, ancillary

Collateral (noun) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. something that you promise to give someone if you cannot pay back a loan

    "They put up their house as collateral for the loan."

    similar: assurance, pledge, belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear, goods, holdings, movables, paraphernalia, personal effects, personal property, personalty, plunder (chiefly dialect), possession, stuff, things, deposit, pawn, security, bond, contract, covenant, deal, guarantee, guaranty, surety, warranty, treasures, valuables, estate, property, tangibles

Collateral (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. as in supplemental, peripheral

    similar: accessory, adjunct, extraneous, peripheral, side, supplemental, supplementary, added, additional, another, else, farther, fresh, further, more, other, new, excess, extra, plus, spare, supernumerary, supervenient, surplus, complementary, contributory
    opposite: fewer, less

  2. as in associated, related

    similar: associated, connected, linked, related, contemporaneous, contemporary, simultaneous, synchronous, consequent, resultant, resulting, accompanying, attendant, attending, coexistent, coexisting, coincident, coincidental, concomitant, concurrent, ensuing, following, subsequent, accidental, casual, chance, fluky, fortuitous, freak, incident, incidental
    opposite: unassociated, unconnected, unrelated

Related Entry: Collateral damage (noun)

Collateral damage is a different word from Collateral. The synonyms below are for collateral damage, not for collateral.

  1. as in victim, loss

    similar: casualty, fatality, loss, prey, victim, martyr, sacrifice, loser, underdog, murderee
    opposite: gainer, victor, winner, harmer, injurer, assassin, killer, murderer

Related Entry: Collateral damages (noun)

Collateral damages is a different word from Collateral. The synonyms below are for collateral damages, not for collateral.

  1. as in victims, losses

    similar: casualties, fatalities, losses, prey, victims, martyrs, sacrifices, losers, underdogs, murderees
    opposite: gainers, victors, winners, harmers, injurers, assassins, killers, murderers

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Collateral

The most common words with a similar meaning to Collateral:

Chiefly dialect: plunder
assurance, pledge, belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear, goods, holdings, movables, paraphernalia, personal effects, personal property, personalty, possession, stuff, things, deposit, pawn, security, bond, contract, covenant, deal, guarantee, guaranty, surety, warranty, treasures, valuables, estate, property, tangibles, accessory, adjunct, extraneous, peripheral, side, supplemental, supplementary

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Collateral

Words with the opposite meaning of Collateral:

fewer, less, unassociated, unconnected, unrelated

Word Forms of Collateral

Inflections: collaterals

Derived words: collaterality (noun), collaterally (adverb)

Origin & Etymology of Collateral

derivative of collateral:2, in sense 1 as short for collateral security

First known use: 1691

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Collateral

Words & Phrases Containing Collateral

collateral damage, medial collateral ligament, ulnar collateral ligament, ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction

Frequently Asked Questions about Collateral

What does "Collateral" mean?

"Collateral" means property (such as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender. As an a noun and an adjective, it is defined as: property (such as securities) pledged by a borrower to protect the interests of the lender. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Collateral"?

Other words for "Collateral" include assurance, pledge, belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear and goods. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Collateral" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Collateral"?

There are 91 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Collateral". Common alternatives include assurance, pledge, belongings, chattels, duds, effects, gear, goods, holdings and movables.

What is the opposite of "Collateral"?

Antonyms of "Collateral" include fewer, less, unassociated, unconnected and unrelated.

How do you use "Collateral" in a sentence?

Examples of "Collateral" in a sentence: "They put up their house as collateral for the loan.".

Is "Collateral" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Collateral" can be used as a noun and an adjective, depending on the context.

Is "Collateral" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a C2-level word, "Collateral" is typical of Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE), IELTS band 8.5–9.0, TOEFL iBT 114–120, PTE Academic 85–90. Advanced words like this are also useful for the GRE, SAT, GMAT, and LSAT.

How do you pronounce "Collateral"?

"Collateral" is pronounced /kə-ˈla-t(ə-)rəl/ and divided into syllables as col·lat·er·al.