C1adjectiveformalmoneylaw
US/kəˈlæt.ər.əl/
UK/kəˈlæt.ər.əl/
happening as an additional or indirect result of something, especially an unintended one
More often (noun): property or an asset you promise to give a lender if you cannot repay a loan
In context
The strike caused collateral damage to small shops that depended on the factory workers.
The new policy had collateral effects that nobody in the department had expected.
Report any collateral consequences of the merger to the board before the vote.
Words that go with collateral
adjective + noun
- collateral damageThe cuts caused collateral damage to local suppliers.
- collateral effectHigher interest rates have a collateral effect on housing.
- collateral consequencesThe ruling has collateral consequences for employers.
- collateral benefitA collateral benefit of remote work is lower rent.
- collateral lossThe company suffered collateral loss in related markets.
- collateral riskAssess any collateral risk before approving the project.