negotiate

verb

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ne·go·ti·ate | \ ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌāt

, nonstandard -sē-

negotiated; negotiating

Definition of negotiate

intransitive verb

: to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter Teachers are negotiating for higher salaries.

transitive verb

1a : to deal with (some matter or affair that requires ability for its successful handling) : manage negotiated his business deals with remarkable skill

b : to arrange for or bring about through conference, discussion, and compromise negotiate a treaty

2a : to transfer (something, such as a bill of exchange) to another by delivery or endorsement (see endorse sense 1d)

b : to convert into cash or the equivalent value negotiate a check

3a : to successfully travel along or over negotiate a turn

b : complete, accomplish negotiate the trip in two hours

Other Words from negotiate Synonyms The Controversial History of Negotiate More Example Sentences Learn More About negotiate

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Other Words from negotiate

negotiator \ ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌā-tər

, nonstandard -sē- \ noun

negotiatory \ ni-ˈgō-sh(ē-)ə-ˌtȯr-ē

, nonstandard -sē-

\ adjective

The Controversial History of Negotiate

For the first 250 years of its life, negotiate had meanings that hewed pretty closely to its Latin root, negotiari, meaning "to carry on business." Around the middle of the 19th century, though, it developed the meaning "to successfully travel along or over." Although this sense was criticized in the New York Sun in 1906 as a "barbarism creeping into the language," and Henry Fowler's 1926 A Dictionary of Modern English Usage declared that any writer who used it was "literally a barbarian," it has thrived and is now fully established.

Examples of negotiate in a Sentence

The customer wanted to negotiate over the price. She has good negotiating skills. We negotiated a fair price. The driver carefully negotiated the winding road.

Recent Examples on the Web Because of his experience as an agent, Brandt recalled, a handful of players came to him wanting to negotiate their own deal. — Jonas Shaffer, baltimoresun.com, 6 July 2021 When former Mayor Jerry Sanders began exploring the idea of developing a new City Hall, Hughes approached the city about helping negotiate a deal — at no cost to taxpayers. — Jeff Mcdonald, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 July 2021 Famously, Bauer opted to negotiate a shorter-term deal with opt-outs after every season to maximize his per annum. — Gabe Lacques, USA TODAY, 3 July 2021 New car inventories were high at the time and car dealers were willing to negotiate, said Drury. — Peter Valdes-dapena, CNN, 2 July 2021 The Loons continue to negotiate new deals with Gasper and goalkeeper Dayne St. Clair, who, like Dotson, all were selected in the 2019 draft. — Jerry Zgoda, Star Tribune, 19 June 2021 Howard Slusher was sent in to negotiate a severance deal with Vinton. — oregonlive, 11 June 2021 Publicly and privately, the Republicans say that while Biden appears willing to negotiate with the senators, his staff often changes course. — Lisa Mascaro And Jonathan Lemire, chicagotribune.com, 25 May 2021 Vos said Republican lawmakers haven't talked to Evers about the idea but are willing to negotiate to gain his support. — Molly Beck, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 18 May 2021

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

History and Etymology for negotiate

borrowed from Latin negōtiātus, past participle of negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal," derivative of negōtium "work, business, difficulty, annoyance," from nec "not" + ōtium "free time, leisure, tranquility," of obscure origin — more at neglect entry 1

Note: The sense "to confer in order to arrive at a settlement" is probably based on Middle French negocier or Italian negoziare, which had developed this sense, not belonging to the Latin source, by the mid-16th century.

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