negotiable

adjective ne·go·tia·ble \ ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl \

Updated on: 13 Oct 2017

Definition of negotiable

:capable of being negotiated: such as

a :transferable from one person to another by being delivered with or without endorsement (see endorse 1d) so that the title passes to the transferee (see transferee 1)

negotiable securities

b :capable of being traversed, dealt with, or accomplished

a difficult but negotiable road

some kind of agreement was negotiable

c :open to discussion or dispute

The terms of the contract are negotiable.

The price was not negotiable.

—

negotiability

play \ni-ˌgō-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē\ noun

See negotiable defined for English-language learners

See negotiable defined for kids

Examples of negotiable in a Sentence

The terms of the contract are negotiable.
The price was not negotiable.
a rough but negotiable road

Recent Examples of negotiable from the Web

Newman says the price may be negotiable for the nonprofit.

— samantha swindler, OregonLive.com, "With historic Portland costume shop closing, employee seeks to save the collection (Column)," 30 July 2017
Auto Driveaway will actually pay you a negotiable rate — either flat or per mile — to transport people’s cars all over the U.S. and Canada.

— jordi lippe-mcgraw, Cosmopolitan, "8 Genius Ways to Travel the World Without Going Broke," 21 July 2017
But negotiable details still exist, and one of those is offset language.

— rich campbell, chicagotribune.com, "Mitch Trubisky, Bears hope for agreement before rookies report Wednesday," 18 July 2017
Whether suddenly single or newly hitched, look around you for the five or so non-negotiable items that ground you, items that tether you so you’re not adrift.

— marni jameson, OrlandoSentinel.com, "When remodeling your life, remodel your space too," 18 July 2017
Most of the top-selling real estate agencies in San Diego County don’t have set listing fees, instead describing the fee process as negotiable.

— phillip molnar, latimes.com, "Redfin tries out 1% home listing fee for the first time in California," 14 July 2017
Prize is not replaceable if lost or stolen, non-transferable, non-negotiable and not redeemable for cash, credit or merchandise.

— hartford courant, courant.com, "Hartford Courant Reader Appreciation Sweepstakes Rules," 4 July 2017
Arab states have said the demands are not negotiable and warned that further unspecified measures will follow if Qatar does not comply.

— Washington Post, "World digest: July 1, 2017," 1 July 2017
Chinese banks’ issuance of negotiable certificates of deposit in June nearly hit the high recorded in March, data from Wind Info showed.

— shen hong, WSJ, "It’s Whac-A-Mole for Chinese Regulators Trying to Clamp Down on Speculation," 29 June 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'negotiable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of negotiable

1758

negotiable Synonyms

Synonyms

navigable, passable

Antonyms

impassable (also impassible), unnegotiable, unpassable

Related Words

clear, cleared, free, open, unclogged, unclosed, unobstructed, unstopped

Near Antonyms

blocked, choked, clogged, closed, congested, dammed, jammed, obstructed, plugged (up), stopped (up), stuffed; barricaded, blockaded

Financial Definition of NEGOTIABLE

negotiable

adjective

What It Is

Negotiable refers to an item that can be sold or transferred to another party as a form of unconditional payment. Negotiable also means that the terms of an agreement can be adjusted.

How It Works

A negotiable check given to one person can then be endorsed and may be used as a payment to a third party. Also, certain types of commercial paper securities or bonds may be negotiable (they may be signed by the bearer of the bonds and redeemed). The right to payment through a negotiable instrument, such as a currency or endorsed checks is determined based on possession.

According to the United States Uniform Commercial Code (UCC), an item is negotiable if it meets the following criteria: the promise to pay must be unconditional; the payment must be for a specific sum; payment must be made on demand; no further performance by any party is needed; and payment must be to the bearer of the negotiable instrument.
In terms of an agreement, the parties may be negotiating the terms of a contract or the scope of a project. For example, a proposal for work by a contractor at a certain fee may be negotiable. That is, the contractor may be willing to do more work or lower the price. A contract is usually negotiable until it is executed.

Why It Matters

Once a negotiable instrument is given to another party, it is payable unconditionally. Possession governs in almost every way; it is the functional equivalent to cash. On a balance sheet, negotiable instruments are classified as "cash or its equivalents." Under the US UCC regulations, letters of credit, bills of lading, most securities, deeds, and IOUs are not negotiable.

Source: Investing Answers

NEGOTIABLE Defined for English Language Learners

negotiable

adjective

Definition of negotiable for English Language Learners

: able to be discussed and changed before an agreement or decision is made
: able to be successfully traveled over
finance : able to be passed from one person to another in return for something of equal value

NEGOTIABLE Defined for Kids

negotiable

adjective ne·go·tia·ble \ ni-ˈgō-shə-bəl \

Definition of negotiable for Students

1 :able to be discussed in order to reach an agreement

a negotiable price

2 :able to be successfully dealt with or traveled over

negotiable roads

Law Dictionary

negotiable

adjective ne·go·tia·ble \ ni-ˈgō-shə-bəl \

legal Definition of negotiable

:capable of being negotiated; especially :transferable from one party to another by delivery with or without endorsement so that title passes to the transferee