negotiable

adjective

ne·​go·​tia·​ble ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl How to pronounce negotiable (audio)
: 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.

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Finally, Paris Agreement alignment must be non-negotiable. María Mendiluce, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Both sides have seen Crimea as non-negotiable in ceasefire talks, with territorial demands just one of the issues on which Russia and Ukraine are still very far apart. Ellie Cook, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 In this case, it was clearly defined, systemized and non-negotiable. Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Aug. 2025 Saturn retrograde in Pisces doubles down on the relationship lessons — this six-month stretch is like relationship bootcamp, reminding you that responsibility and compromise are non-negotiable. Dossé-Via Trenou, Refinery29, 29 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for negotiable

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1758, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of negotiable was in 1758

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Negotiable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/negotiable. Accessed 8 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

negotiable

adjective
ne·​go·​tia·​ble ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-bəl How to pronounce negotiable (audio)
: 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 noun

Legal Definition

negotiable

adjective
ne·​go·​tia·​ble ni-ˈgō-shə-bəl How to pronounce negotiable (audio)
: 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 noun

More from Merriam-Webster on negotiable

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!