negative

1 of 3

adjective

neg·​a·​tive ˈne-gə-tiv How to pronounce negative (audio)
1
a
: marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal
received a negative answer
also : marked by absence, withholding, or removal of something positive
the negative motivation of shame Garrett Hardin
b(1)
: denying a predicate (see predicate entry 1 sense 1a) of a subject or a part of a subject
"no A is B" is a negative proposition
(2)
: denoting the absence or the contradictory of something
nontoxic is a negative term
(3)
: expressing negation
negative particles such as no and not
c
: adverse, unfavorable
the reviews were mostly negative
2
a
: lacking positive qualities
especially : disagreeable
a colorless negative personality
b
: marked by features of hostility, withdrawal, or pessimism (see pessimism sense 1) that hinder or oppose constructive treatment or development
a negative outlook
negative criticism
c
: promoting a person or cause by criticizing or attacking the competition
ran a negative campaign
negative advertising
3
a(1)
: less than zero and opposite in sign to a positive (see positive entry 1 sense 4e) number that when added to the given number yields zero
−2 is a negative number
(2)
: having more outgo than income : constituting a loss
negative cash flow
negative worth
b
: extending or generated in a direction opposite to an arbitrarily chosen regular direction or position
negative angle
4
a
: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the electron is the elementary unit
b
: having more electrons than protons
a negative ion
c(1)
: having lower electric potential (see potential entry 1 sense 2b) and constituting the part toward which the current (see current entry 2 sense 3) flows from the external circuit
the negative pole
(2)
: being the electron-emitting electrode (see electrode sense 2) of an electron tube
5
a
: not affirming the presence of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present
also : having a test result indicating the absence especially of a condition, substance, or organism
she is HIV negative
b
: directed or moving away from a source of stimulation
negative tropism
c
: less than the pressure of the atmosphere
negative pressure
6
: having the light and dark parts in approximately inverse (see inverse entry 1 sense 1) relation to those of the original photographic subject
7
of a lens : diverging (see diverge sense 1) light rays and forming a virtual inverted image
negatively adverb
negativeness noun
negativity noun

negative

2 of 3

noun

1
a(1)
: a reply that indicates the withholding of assent : refusal
(2)
archaic : a right of veto
(3)
obsolete : an adverse vote : veto
b
: a proposition which denies or contradicts another
especially : the one of a pair of propositions in which negation is expressed
2
a
: something that is the opposite or negation of something else
3
a
: an expression (such as the word no) of negation or denial
b
: a negative number
4
: the side that upholds the contradictory proposition in a debate
5
: a negative photographic image on transparent material used for printing positive pictures
also : the material that carries such an image
6
: a reverse impression taken from a piece of sculpture or ceramics
7
: a negative result (as of a test)
a high rate of false negatives
also : a test yielding such a result

negative

3 of 3

verb

negatived; negativing

transitive verb

1
a
: to refuse assent to
b
: to reject by or as if by a vote
2
: to demonstrate the falsity of
3
: to deny the truth, reality, or validity of
4
Phrases
in the negative
: with a negative reply : with a reply that means "no"
He answered in the negative.

Examples of negative in a Sentence

Adjective Car exhaust has a negative effect on the environment. the negative effects of the drug The feedback about the new product was all negative. Noun “No” and “not” are negatives. Can I have the negatives to make copies of the photos? Verb although the rebuttal was very eloquent, the jury negatived it in favor of the prosecution's argument we promptly negatived the idea of having pizza again for dinner, noting that we had already had it for three nights that week
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Eat more cookies Cookie Monster seemed to shrug off all the negative comments and shared his current solution to dealing with inflation. Katie Wiseman, The Indianapolis Star, 6 Mar. 2024 In fact, everywhere taxpayers have been forced to pay it, the reviews are negative from everyone but the Hollywood producers themselves. James M. Hohman, National Review, 6 Mar. 2024 The phthalates can in turn get into the bloodstream and travel into the placenta, which may cause negative outcomes for both the fetus and the pregnant person.1 The idea that phthalates can cause harm isn’t new. Anna Halkidis, Parents, 6 Mar. 2024 Local 99 launched a negative campaign against Gallardo, spending $38,441. Howard Blume, Los Angeles Times, 6 Mar. 2024 But the majority of the reactions were distinctly negative. Kathleen Walsh, Glamour, 5 Mar. 2024 Grossman recalled recently sitting in on a meeting where a senior leader made a negative comment about one of the people currently running for president. Paige McGlauflin, Fortune, 4 Mar. 2024 Such memories can repair negative moods and lower a person’s physiological stress response. Mark Travers, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Despite the negative headlines generated by the region’s fast-fashion industry, India has a rich history in the apparel trade, replete with fabric weaving, intricate embroidery, and hand-sewing. Aleks Cvetkovic, Robb Report, 2 Mar. 2024
Noun
Whether dealing with negatives or slides, this device features an exceptionally intuitive, user-friendly interface with a large, clear LCD. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 Lastly, this answer subtly shifts the focus from the weakness itself to the improvements and positive outcomes that have resulted from addressing it, turning a potential negative into a compelling narrative of growth and adaptability. Mark Murphy, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Saving for eventually leaving the workforce while paying regular bills marred by inflation and digging out of the negatives becomes an even more trying feat. Chloe Berger, Fortune, 8 Feb. 2024 The essential Kodak Slide N Scan Film & Slide Scanner is meticulously designed to get all your old photos and color and B&W negatives (135, 110, 126) and 50 mm slides (135, 110, 126) back to life for good in the form of digitizing, preserving memories for generations to come. Stack Commerce, Popular Science, 1 Feb. 2024 Tinfoil from chocolate bars became the reflective outer surface, and melted photographic negatives formed a protective outer coating. Jordan Rodriguez, Idaho Statesman, 31 Jan. 2024 While the positives seemingly outweigh the possible negatives, the DeBoer hire comes with question marks, concerns and the possibility of being engulfed by the miles-wide shadow Saban will continue to cast over the program for years to come. Paul Myerberg, USA TODAY, 15 Jan. 2024 Kyle told the outlet that the set-up came with both positives and negatives. Emily Weaver, Peoplemag, 10 Feb. 2024 Other emerging design trends include: ▪ Positive/negative. Elaine Markoutsas, Kansas City Star, 24 Jan. 2024
Verb
Travelers also need to negative COVID-19 test within one day of flying to return to the United States. Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2022 Regardless, the outcome of this trial might not impact the ex-couple’s career prospects in all that negative a way, Engelmayer predicted. Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 26 May 2022 On the way to scoring a 25-19, 25-9, 25-4 victory, UW was not blocked once, held the Bobcats to negative hitting in each set and in the final set tied a program record for fewest points allowed in a set. Mark Stewart, Journal Sentinel, 2 Dec. 2022 And passengers boarding international flights to the U.S. no longer need to test negative a day before departure or prove recovery from Covid in the past 90 days. Allison Pohle, WSJ, 2 Aug. 2022 But with sales growth expected to go from triple digits in 2021 to negative this year, shares have tanked to a record low recently. Yueqi Yang, Time, 20 Apr. 2022 In response, Moody’s Investors Service recently lowered its outlook for the sector to negative. Nick Sargen, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2021 Eversource Energy executives are on the defensive after two ratings agencies cut the credit outlook to negative for Connecticut Light & Power, citing its run-ins with state regulators over the utility’s response to Tropical Storm Isaias last year. Stephen Singer, courant.com, 2 Aug. 2021 Positive antibody test results, which are by no means an absolute guarantee of immunity, will be accepted to enter, as will negative COVID-19 tests taken up to seven days prior to arrival. Julia Wick, Los Angeles Times, 17 Jan. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'negative.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English negatyff, borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French negatif, borrowed from Latin negātīvus "(of legal actions) restraining, (of words) denying," from negātus (past participle of negāre "to say no, deny") + -īvus -ive

Noun

Middle English negatif "negative command, prohibition," borrowed from Anglo-French & Late Latin; Anglo-French negative, borrowed from Late Latin negātīva "negative command or statement," from feminine of Latin negātīvus "(of legal actions) restraining, (of words) denying" — more at negative entry 1

Verb

derivative of negative entry 1

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1571, in the meaning defined at sense 1a(1)

Verb

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of negative was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near negative

Cite this Entry

“Negative.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negative. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

negative

1 of 3 adjective
neg·​a·​tive ˈneg-ət-iv How to pronounce negative (audio)
1
: marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal
a negative reply
2
: not positive or helpful
a negative attitude
3
a
: less than zero and opposite in sign to a positive number
-2 is a negative number
b
: extending or measured in a direction opposite to one chosen as positive
a negative angle
4
a
: of, being, or relating to electricity of a kind of which the electron is the elementary unit
a negative charge
b
: having more electrons than protons
a negative particle
c
: being the part toward which the electric current flows from the outside circuit
the negative pole of a battery
5
a
: not indicating the presence of a particular germ or condition
a negative TB test
b
: directed or moving away from a source of stimulation
a negative tropism
6
: having the light and dark parts approximately opposite to those of the thing or person photographed
negatively adverb
negativeness noun
negativity noun

negative

2 of 3 noun
1
: a reply that indicates denial or contradiction : refusal
2
: something that is the opposite or negation of something else
3
: an expression (as the word no) of negation or denial
4
: a negative number
5
: the side that argues or votes against something in a debate
6
: a negative photographic image on transparent material used for printing positive pictures
also : the material that carries such an image

negative

3 of 3 verb
negatived; negativing
1
: to refuse to accept or approve
2
: to vote against
3

Medical Definition

negative

1 of 2 adjective
neg·​a·​tive
ˈneg-ət-iv
1
: marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal
received a negative answer
2
: marked by features (as hostility, withdrawal, or pessimism) that hinder or oppose constructive treatment or development
a negative outlook
3
a
: being, relating to, or charged with electricity of which the electron is the elementary unit
b
: having more electrons than protons
negative ions
c(1)
: having lower electrical potential and constituting the part toward which the current flows from the external circuit
the negative pole
(2)
: being the electron-emitting electrode of an electron tube
4
a
: not affirming the presence of a condition, substance, or organism suspected to be present
also : having a test result indicating the absence especially of a condition, substance, or organism
she is HIV negative
b
: directed or moving away from a source of stimulation
negative tropism
5
: having the light and dark parts in approximately inverse relation to those of the original photographic subject
negatively adverb

negative

2 of 2 noun
1
: a negative photographic image on transparent material used for printing positive pictures
also : the material that carries such an image
2
: a negative result (as of a test)
also : a test yielding such a result

More from Merriam-Webster on negative

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!