Yahoo Web Search

Search results

1. Dictionary

   Neg·a·tive

   /ˈneɡədiv/

   

   adjective

   • 1. consisting in or characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.
   • ▪ (of a statement or decision) expressing or implying denial, disagreement, or refusal: "that, I take it, was a negative answer" Similar saying ‘no’in the negativerejectingrefusingdissentingdissentientcontraryanti-opposingopposeddenyingformal:gainsayingrare:dissentiousOpposite positiveaffirmative
   • ▪ (of the results of a test or experiment) indicating that a certain substance or condition is not present or does not exist: "a negative test result"
   • ▪ (of a person) not having a specified condition or showing traces of a specified substance in their body: "so far all the patients have tested negative for TB"
   • ▪ denoting a complete lack of something: informal US "they were described as having negative vulnerability to water entry"
   • ▪ (of a word, clause, or proposition) expressing denial, negation, or refutation; stating or asserting that something is not the case.
   • 2. (of a person, attitude, or situation) not desirable or optimistic: "the new tax was having a very negative effect on car sales" Similar pessimisticdefeatistgloomygloom-riddencynicalbleakfatalisticdismissiveantiantipatheticuncooperativeobstructiveunenthusiasticcoolcolduninterestedunresponsiveapatheticharmfulbadadversedamagingdetrimentalunfortunateunfavorabledisadvantageousOpposite positiveoptimisticconstructiveenthusiasticfavorablegood
   • 3. (of a quantity) less than zero; to be subtracted from others or from zero.
   • ▪ denoting a direction of decrease or reversal: "the industry suffered negative growth in 1992"
   • 4. of, containing, producing, or denoting the kind of electric charge carried by electrons.
   • 5. (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colors reversed from those of the original.
   • 6. relating to or denoting any of the earth or water signs, considered passive in nature.

   noun

   • 1. a word or statement that expresses denial, disagreement, or refusal: "she replied in the negative"
   • ▪ a bad, unwelcome, or unpleasant quality, characteristic, or aspect of a situation or person: "confidence will not be instilled by harping solely on the negative"
   • ▪ a word, affix, or phrase expressing negation.
   • ▪ another term for negation
   • 2. a photographic image made on film or specially prepared glass that shows the light and shade or color values reversed from the original, and from which positive prints can be made: "photographs and negatives should be supplied for enlargement purposes"
   • 3. a result of a test or experiment indicating that a certain substance is not present or a certain condition does not exist: "the percentage of false negatives generated by a cancer test was of great concern"
   • 4. the part of an electric circuit that is at a lower electrical potential than another part designated as having zero electrical potential.
   • 5. a number less than zero.

   exclamation

   • 1. no (usually used in a military context): "“Any snags, Captain?” “Negative, she's running like clockwork.”"

   verb

   • 1. reject; refuse to accept; veto: "the bill was negatived by 130 votes to 129" Similar rejectturn downsay ‘no’ torefusevetosquashinformal:give the thumbs down togive the red light toOpposite acceptratifypass
   • ▪ disprove; contradict: "the insurer's main arguments were negatived by Lawrence" Similar disproveshow/prove to be falsegive the lie tobelieinvalidatecall into questionrefuterebutdiscreditexplodecontradictdenynegateformal:gainsayOpposite provesubstantiate
   • 2. render ineffective; neutralize: "should criminal law allow consent to negative what would otherwise be a crime?" Similar cancel outneutralizecounteractnullifynegaterender ineffectiveoffsetbalancecounterbalancebalance outequalize

   Word Origin late Middle English: from late Latin negativus, from negare ‘deny’ (see negate).

   Derivatives

   • 1. negativeness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

   • N

     1

   • E

     1

   • G

     2

   • A

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

   Powered by Oxford Languages

   More Definitions, Word Origin & ScrabbleShow less

2. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › negativeNegative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › negative

   • Cached

   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word negative as an adjective, noun, and verb. Find synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases of negative.

3. dictionary.cambridge.org › english › negativeNEGATIVE | definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › english › negative

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning of negative as an adjective, noun, and prefix in English. Find out how to use negative words, phrases, clauses, and images in different contexts and situations.

4. www.dictionary.com › browse › negativeNEGATIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › negative

   • Cached

   expressing or meaning a refusal or denial. a negative answer. lacking positive or affirmative qualities, such as enthusiasm, interest, or optimism. showing or tending towards opposition or resistance. measured in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive.

5. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › negativeNegative - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › negative

   Negative means focused on what is bad or lacking. A negative ad tells you bad things about the competition. A negative person loves to complain. In math, a negative number is less than zero. People who see the glass half empty have a negative outlook.

6. dictionary.cambridge.org › negativeNEGATIVE | definition in the Cambridge Learner’s Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › negative

   • Cached

   Learn the meaning of negative as an adjective and a noun in different contexts, such as attitude, effect, medicine, numbers, and grammar. See examples, translations, and related words.

7. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definitionnegative adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and ...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition

   • Cached

   considering only the bad side of something/somebody; having no enthusiasm or hope. Scientists have a fairly negative attitude to the theory. The developers' proposal received negative feedback from neighbours. ‘He probably won't show up.’ ‘Don't be so negative.’. negative about something She's been rather negative about the idea.

8. www.dictionary.com › browse › negativeNEGATIVE Definition & Usage Examples | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › negative

   • Cached

   expressing or containing negation or denial: a negative response to the question. refusing consent, as to a proposal: a negative reply to my request. expressing refusal to do something: He maintained a negative attitude about cooperating.