negative

Change speaker

You're listening to Joanna
She has an American accent.

NGSL Rank: 1083
negative
ˈnɛɡətɪv Listen
Meanings
adjective
  • consisting in or characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.
  • (of a person, attitude, or situation) not desirable or optimistic.
    E.g. the new tax was having a negative effect on car sales
  • (of a quantity) less than zero.
  • containing, producing, or denoting the kind of electric charge carried by electrons.
  • (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colours reversed from those of the original.
  • relating to or denoting any of the earth or water signs, considered passive in nature.
  • (in Parliament) relating to or denoting proposed legislation which will come into force after a specified period unless explicitly rejected in a parliamentary vote.
noun
  • a word or statement that expresses denial, disagreement, or refusal.
    E.g. she replied in the negative
  • a negative photographic image made on film or specially prepared glass, from which positive prints may be made.
    E.g. photographs and negatives should be supplied for enlargement purposes
  • a result of a test or experiment indicating that a certain substance or condition is not present or does not exist.
    E.g. the percentage of false negatives generated by a cancer test was of great concern
  • the part of an electric circuit that is at a lower electrical potential than another part designated as having zero electrical potential.
  • a number less than zero.
verb
  • refuse to accept; reject.
    E.g. the bill was negatived on second reading by 130 votes to 129
  • render ineffective; neutralize.
    E.g. should criminal law allow consent to negative what would otherwise be a crime?

Practise saying this word

negative
Joanna
YouReset