WordGarden.ionegative
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /nˈɛɡətˌɪv/
US
- /ˈnɛɡətɪv/
Meanings
Adjective
unfavorable, harmful, or pessimistic
expressing refusal, denial, disagreement, or a no answer
less than zero or on the minus side of a scale
More meaningsFewer meanings
showing that a test did not detect a condition, substance, or expected finding
stating or expressing negation in grammar
Beyond the definition
"Negative" is a word with several common uses. Most often, it describes something bad or unwanted, like a negative outcome or a negative attitude. It can also show opposition, such as a negative vote. In math and science, it refers to a number lower than zero or to a certain electrical charge. In medicine, a negative test result is often good news because it means a disease or condition was not found. The word comes from the Latin negare, meaning "to deny." Overall, it helps describe things that are unfavorable, opposed, missing, or below zero.
The word "negative" carries a surprising amount of weight, shifting its meaning significantly depending on the context. At its core, it signifies the absence, refusal, or the polar opposite of something positive.
Most commonly, we use "negative" to describe something unfavorable or undesirable. A negative review suggests a critic didn't enjoy a movie, and a negative attitude can dampen the mood of an entire room. However, "negative" isn't always a synonym for "bad." In a medical context, testing "negative" for a virus is actually great news—it signifies the absence of the illness.
Beyond feelings and health, the word indicates opposition or disagreement. In politics or formal debates, a negative response is a refusal or a vote against a proposal. The word also plays a vital role in mathematics and science, where it refers to quantities less than zero, like a temperature of -10 degrees, or to specific electrical charges (like those of an electron).
The word's history traces back to the Latin negare, which means "to deny." This connection is still clear today; when you give a negative answer, you are essentially saying "no." From the "negatives" of old-fashioned film photography—where light and dark are reversed—to the "negative space" in art, this versatile word helps us define the world by what is missing, opposed, or below the baseline. Regardless of the field, if something lacks positivity, stands in opposition, or falls below zero, "negative" is the word you need.
Examples
- 1
Opinion
He made a negative comment about my idea.
- 2
Outlook
Try not to be so negative about the trip before we even leave.
- 3
Business impact
The new rule had a negative effect on small businesses.
- 4
Attitude
Her negative attitude made the whole meeting harder.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Test result
The test came back negative, so she returned to work the next day.
- Phrasecome back negative
give a result showing that the illness or problem was not found
- 6
Medical testing
He tested negative for the virus.
- Patterntest negative for + illness/problem
have a test that does not find it
- 7
Temperature
The temperature dropped to negative ten degrees overnight.
- 8
Math
A negative number is less than zero.
- 9
Electricity
Electrons have a negative charge.
- 10
Grammar term
“I don’t know nothing” is a double negative.
See also
Similar
Shades of meaning
Contrast
Used with (collocations)
- negative effect
- negative attitude
- negative impact
- negative comments
Word family
Explore
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- negativenounverbadjective
Forms
- negativespluralnounverbadjective
- negativedpast tenseverbnounadjective
- negativing-ing formverbnounadjective