A collateral relative is someone who is related to us through a common ancestor, but not directly. They are not our immediate family members, rather belongs to our extended family. There are several synonyms for the term "collateral relative", such as distant relative, secondary relative, cousin, kinsfolk, and kin. Each of these synonyms conveys a similar meaning, a relative who is less close than an immediate family member. A distant relative is typically someone who shares a common ancestor but may be several generations removed. Secondary relative refers to relatives beyond the immediate family. Cousins are also considered collateral relatives as they share a common ancestor but are not siblings. Kinsfolk and kin are also used to describe relatives within an extended family.