lateral flow test

IPA/ˌlætərəl ˈfləʊ test/
IPA/ˌlætərəl ˈfləʊ test/

lateral flow test — noun

1. a small plastic medical tool with a paper strip inside that shows whether a spec

1.nounB2
Definition

a small plastic medical tool with a paper strip inside that shows whether a specific substance or germ is present in a sample of liquid, usually by changing colour or making lines appear

Example

Putri took a lateral flow test out of its foil wrapper and placed it on the table.

collocation: took a lateral flow test out of its wrapper

The nurse showed us how to hold the lateral flow test flat while adding the liquid sample.

how to hold / use a lateral flow test

Common collocations
  • take a lateral flow test out of its wrapper
  • hold a lateral flow test flat
  • the result window on a lateral flow test
  • a sealed/packaged lateral flow test
  • discard / dispose of a used lateral flow test
Synonyms
Antonyms
  • PCR test

    lab-based method requiring a machine; slower but more sensitive

Grammar Patterns

a lateral flow test

the lateral flow test

Usage Note

Countable noun. The physical device is called a lateral flow test; the procedure that uses it has the same name — see sense 2.

Common Mistakes

❌ 'I bought three lateral flow tests from the store.' (correct) — 'test' here means the physical kit, not the procedure.

2. a medical screening procedure that uses a small paper-based device to check for

2.nounB2
Definition

a medical screening procedure that uses a small paper-based device to check for a particular substance or germ in a sample such as saliva or nasal fluid, giving a result within minutes

Example

Yara did a lateral flow test every morning before going to school during the outbreak.

routine: do a lateral flow test every morning

The school sent each student home with two lateral flow tests for the holiday break.

passive: sent home with [number] lateral flow tests

Common collocations
  • do / take a lateral flow test
  • get a positive / negative lateral flow test
  • the result of a lateral flow test
  • a lateral flow test shows two lines / one line
  • require / mandate a lateral flow test
Synonyms
  • rapid test

    shorter, informal term for any quick point-of-care test

  • rapid antigen test

    specifically detects viral proteins; a type of lateral flow test

Antonyms
  • PCR test

    lab-based and slower; considered more accurate for many viruses

Grammar Patterns

do/take a lateral flow test

a lateral flow test shows…

Usage Note

Distinguish from sense 1: sense 1 refers to the physical device; sense 2 refers to the procedure of using it. The phrase 'do a lateral flow test' always signals sense 2.

Common Mistakes

I did a lateral flow test kit.
I did a lateral flow test.
'test' already includes the procedure; you don't need 'kit'.

Word family

  • lateral flow
    nounC1
  • rapid test
    nounB2
  • lateral flow device
    nounC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/2

Lateral flow test and rapid antigen test often overlap in meaning but are not identical. Lateral flow test names the technology — liquid flows sideways across a paper strip. Rapid antigen test names what the test looks for (viral proteins). Many lateral flow tests are antigen tests, but some detect other substances (e.g. pregnancy tests use the same technology). PCR test is a different method: it amplifies genetic material in a lab, requiring a machine and taking hours. Rapid test is the broadest, informal term for any quick diagnostic test. In everyday language, people say 'lateral flow test' when referring to the take-home screening kits used during the pandemic, and 'PCR test' when talking about the more accurate lab-based follow-up.

lateral flow test ↗rapid antigen testPCR test ↗rapid test ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

Phrases

  • do a lateral flow test
  • get a positive result
  • show two lines
  • give a result in minutes
  • come back negative

Prepositions

  • positive for
  • negative for
  • tested with

Etymology

Englishmodern coinage

The term combines 'lateral flow' (describing the sideways movement of liquid across the test strip by capillary action) with 'test'. The technology was first developed in the 1980s and became widely known during the COVID-19 pandemic in the 2020s when home-testing kits were distributed to the public.