multilateral

USAGE SUMMARY

'multilateral' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to refer to a situation involving three or more countries or organizations. For example: "The multilateral agreement between the three countries was an important step towards peace."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Few expect a multilateral system for negotiating sovereign debt workouts to spring up overnight.

The Guardian - Business

The reduction target is now 18.9%, which is roughly what Australia's "fair share" would be under a multilateral agreement.

The Guardian

"The private sector, multilateral development banks and other donors will be important partners in the delivery of aid for trade outcomes," the policy document said.

The Guardian

Publicity from the pressure group seeks to contrast Tony Blair's close relationship with George Bush with the Liberal Democrats' opposition to the war in Iraq and the party's commitment to civil liberties and multilateral international cooperation.

The Guardian

He says ministers do not expect a global deal to be struck in Mexico, but he believes progress towards multilateral action will be made.

The Guardian

The only party committed to multilateral engagement and cooperation in Europe and the rest of the world".

The Guardian

It is therefore crucial that environmental protection is fully integrated into international development programmes and the multilateral institutions, such as the World Bank, which administer them.

The Guardian - Opinion

The action plan does note the value of multilateral action but also says that "particular focus should be put on mobilising the private sector as a major source of financing and of innovation to tackle climate change".

The Guardian

The international development committee warned that the global health system "remains dangerously inadequate for responding to health emergencies" and said "DfID should not wait for its 2015 multilateral aid review" to do something about this, adding: "The urgency of the situation warrants immediate action".

The Guardian

"We are against paying ransoms and we take part alongside other countries in multilateral efforts to combat the phenomenon of kidnapping.

The Guardian

By the time the present US administration had settled into office, senior policymakers thought there was multilateral consensus on listening to other societies: it could not be stopped and therefore it shouldn't be limited.

The Guardian - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "multilateral" to accurately describe situations involving three or more parties, especially in discussions of international relations, trade, or agreements. Ensure the context clearly benefits from the involvement of multiple actors.

Common error

Avoid using "multilateral" when only two parties are involved. "Bilateral" is the correct term for interactions or agreements between two entities, while "multilateral" requires three or more.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "multilateral" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe something involving multiple parties or nations. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Formal & Business

24%

Science

23%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "multilateral" functions as an adjective to describe situations involving multiple parties, typically three or more, particularly in international relations, trade, and agreements. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, especially in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. To ensure accuracy, distinguish it from "bilateral", which refers to interactions between only two parties. High-quality sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ this term, underscoring its relevance in contemporary discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

many-sided

Direct synonym referring to multiple aspects or participants.

multiparty

Focuses on the involvement of several distinct parties, similar to multilateral.

plurilateral

Agreements between some countries, which are multilateral in nature but not universal.

international

Indicates involvement of multiple nations, a common context for multilateral discussions.

global

Indicates worldwide scope, often involving numerous countries.

collaborative

Highlights the cooperative aspect of interactions among multiple entities.

collective

Emphasizes the shared nature of actions or agreements by multiple parties.

cooperative

Highlights the shared nature of actions or agreements by multiple parties.

comprehensive

Implies a wide-ranging approach involving various elements or parties.

across-the-board

Implies involving all parties and aspects without exclusions.

FAQs

How can I use "multilateral" in a sentence?

You can use "multilateral" to describe agreements or collaborations involving multiple countries. For example: "The success of the climate summit depended on a "multilateral agreement"."

What's the difference between "multilateral" and "international"?

"Multilateral" specifically refers to involving three or more parties, whereas "international" simply means involving multiple nations, without specifying the exact number.

Which is correct, "multilateral" or "plurilateral"?

"Multilateral" refers to agreements involving many nations. "Plurilateral" refers to agreements between some countries but not all.

What is the difference between "multilateral" and "bilateral"?

"Multilateral" describes situations involving three or more parties, while "bilateral" refers to interactions or agreements between exactly two parties.