negotiable

adjective

ne·​go·​tia·​ble ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl 

: capable of being negotiated: such as

a

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

ni-ˌgō-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

Synonyms of negotiable

• navigable

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 on the Web

One of my non-negotiable recommendations is Tonnara di Scopello, another historic tuna fishery turned into a tiny museum and protected cove. — Megan Rose Murray, Condé Nast Traveler, 22 Aug. 2026

Add some flair The zest of a lemon, finely grated with a Microplane, is non-negotiable in my book. — Shilpa Uskokovic, Bon Appetit Magazine, 20 Aug. 2026

Summary College football fanatics face a tough season balancing game-watching with personal life, but some matchups are non-negotiable. — Darren Cooper, Forbes.com, 20 Aug. 2026

Treating downtime as a non-negotiable event ensures your kids have the necessary breathing space to just be kids. — Lauren Brown West-Rosenthal, Parents, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

negoti(ate) + -able, perhaps after French négociable

First Known Use

1758, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for negotiable

• sociable
• nonnegotiable
• unsociable

Kids Definition

negotiable

adjective

ne·​go·​tia·​ble ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl 

: capable of being negotiated: as

a

: capable of being passed from one person to another without being signed in return for something of equal value

negotiable bonds

b

: capable of being traveled over, dealt with, or accomplished

negotiable roads

some kind of agreement was negotiable

c

: open to discussion or change

negotiable prices

negotiability

-ˌgō-sh(ē-)ə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

Legal Definition

negotiable

adjective

ne·​go·​tia·​ble ni-ˈgō-shə-bəl 

: capable of being negotiated

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

negotiable securities

a negotiable certificate of deposit

see also negotiable instrument

negotiability

ni-ˌgō-shə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun