negative
Looking for the meaning of negative? Explore definitions, parts of speech, and usage examples below.
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Refusal or withholding of assents; prohibition, veto
A right of veto.
An image in which dark areas represent light ones, and the converse.
(grammar) A word that indicates negation.
A negative quantity.
: A rep performed with weight in which the muscle begins at maximum contraction and is slowly extended; a movement performed using only the eccentric phase of muscle movement.
The negative plate of a voltaic or electrolytic cell.
To refuse; to veto.
To contradict.
To disprove.
To make ineffective; to neutralize.
Not positive nor neutral.
Of electrical charge of an electron and related particles
Of a number: less than zero
Denying a proposition.
Damaging; undesirable; unfavourable.
“Customers didn’t like it: feedback was mostly negative.”
Often used pejoratively: pessimistic; not tending to see the bright side of things.
“I don’t like to hang around him very much because he can be so negative about his petty problems.”
Of or relating to a photographic image in which the colours of the original, and the relations of left and right, are reversed.
Metalloidal, nonmetallic; contrasted with positive or basic.
“The nitro group is negative.”
(New Age jargon) Often preceded by emotion, energy, feeling, or thought: to be avoided, bad, difficult, disagreeable, painful, potentially damaging, unpleasant, unwanted.
Characterized by the presence of features which do not support a hypothesis.
HIV negative
(signalling) An elaborate synonym for no.
Understanding "negative"
The word **"negative"** is a **noun** in the English language. It is phonetically pronounced as **/ˈnɛ(e)ɡəˌɾɪv/**. Explore the detailed meaning, morphological structure, and usage examples for **"negative"** in our dictionary below.
The English language is incredibly vast, and diving into the definition of the word "negative" provides a perfect example of its linguistic depth. Categorized primarily as a noun, the term "negative" holds specific syntactical roles within a sentence, allowing speakers and writers to convey precise meaning. Understanding how this word functions is an excellent step towards mastering advanced English vocabulary and improving overall reading comprehension.
For those looking to perfect their spoken English, noting the phonetic pronunciation of "negative" is crucial. It is typically transcribed as /ˈnɛ(e)ɡəˌɾɪv/. Proper enunciation ensures that your intended message is received clearly, preventing miscommunication in both formal and casual settings. Linguistic scholars often track the phonological evolution of words like "negative" to understand broader historical shifts in dialects and accents across different English-speaking populations.
When deciding how to use "negative" in everyday communication, it helps to look at exactly how it operates as a noun. In professional writing, academic essays, and creative literature, choosing the perfect vocabulary word can drastically elevate the tone of the text. Because "negative" carries its own unique connotations and denotations, swapping it for a simpler synonym might dilute the impact of your sentence.
Our comprehensive dictionary tool is designed to provide immediate, reliable definitions for thousands of terms, including "negative". By consistently exploring the nuances of vocabulary—including phonetics (/ˈnɛ(e)ɡəˌɾɪv/), part of speech (noun), and usage examples—you can significantly expand your linguistic repertoire. Bookmark this page as a quick reference tool whenever you encounter "negative" in reading materials or wish to incorporate it into your active vocabulary.
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How do I use negative in a sentence?
Refer to the usage examples above to see how "negative" can be used in academic and casual conversations.