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   negative

   /ˈnɛɡətɪv/

   adjective

   • 1. consisting in or characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.
   • ▪ expressing or implying denial, disagreement, or refusal: "that, I take it, was a negative answer" Similar saying ‘no’in the negativerejectingrefusingdissentingdissentientcontraryanti-opposingopposeddenyingformal:gainsayingrare:dissentiousOpposite positiveaffirmative
   • ▪ (of the results of a test or experiment) indicating that a certain substance or condition is not present or does not exist: "a negative test result"
   • ▪ (of a person) not having a specified condition or showing traces of a specified substance in their body: "all the patients have tested negative for TB"
   • ▪ denoting a complete lack of something: informal US "they were described as having negative vulnerability to water entry"
   • ▪ (of a word, clause, or proposition) stating that something is not the case; expressing negation.
   • ▪ no (usually used in a military context): "‘Any snags, Captain?’ ‘Negative, she's running like clockwork.’"
   • 2. (of a person, attitude, or situation) not desirable or optimistic: "the new tax was having a negative effect on car sales" Similar pessimisticdefeatistgloomygloom-riddencynicalbleakfatalisticdismissiveantiantipatheticuncooperativeobstructiveunenthusiasticcoolcolduninterestedunresponsiveapatheticharmfulbadadversedamagingdetrimentalunfortunateunfavourabledisadvantageousOpposite positiveoptimisticconstructiveenthusiasticfavourablegood
   • 3. (of a quantity) less than zero.
   • ▪ denoting decrease or reversal: "the industry suffered negative growth in the 1990s"
   • 4. containing, producing, or denoting the kind of electric charge carried by electrons.
   • 5. (of a photographic image) showing light and shade or colours reversed from those of the original.
   • 6. relating to or denoting any of the earth or water signs, considered passive in nature.
   • 7. (in Parliament) relating to or denoting proposed legislation which will come into force after a specified period unless explicitly rejected in a parliamentary vote. British

   noun

   • 1. a word or statement that expresses denial, disagreement, or refusal: "she replied in the negative"
   • ▪ a bad or unwelcome quality or aspect of a situation: "confidence will not be instilled by harping solely on the negative"
   • ▪ a word, affix, or phrase expressing negation.
   • ▪ another term for negation
   • 2. a negative photographic image made on film or specially prepared glass, from which positive prints may be made: "photographs and negatives should be supplied for enlargement purposes"
   • 3. a result of a test or experiment indicating that a certain substance or condition is not present or does not exist: "the percentage of false negatives generated by a cancer test was of great concern"
   • 4. the part of an electric circuit that is at a lower electrical potential than another part designated as having zero electrical potential.
   • 5. a number less than zero.

   verb

   • 1. refuse to accept; reject: "the bill was negatived on second reading by 130 votes to 129" Similar rejectturn downsay ‘no’ torefusevetosquashinformal:give the thumbs down togive the red light toOpposite acceptratifypass
   • ▪ prove to be untrue: "the insurer's main arguments were negatived by Lawrence" Similar disproveshow/prove to be falsegive the lie tobelieinvalidatecall into questionrefuterebutdiscreditexplodecontradictdenynegateformal:gainsayOpposite provesubstantiate
   • 2. render ineffective; neutralize: "should criminal law allow consent to negative what would otherwise be a crime?" Similar cancel outneutralizecounteractnullifynegaterender ineffectiveoffsetbalancecounterbalancebalance outequalize

   Word Origin late Middle English: from late Latin negativus, from negare ‘deny’ (see negate).

   Derivatives

   • 1. negativeness noun

   Scrabble Points: 12

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2. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › englishNEGATIVE | English meaning - Cambridge Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning of negative as an adjective, noun, or prefix in English. Find out how to use negative words, phrases, clauses, and images in different contexts and situations.

   • English (US)

     NEGATIVE meaning: 1. expressing "no": 2. A negative sentence...

   • Znaczenie Negative, Definicja W Cambridge English Dictionary

     NEGATIVE definicja: 1. expressing "no": 2. A negative...

   • Negative Inventory

     NEGATIVE INVENTORY definition: a situation in which the...

3. www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › negativeNegative Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › negative

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   Learn the various meanings and uses of the word negative as an adjective, noun, and verb. Find synonyms, examples, etymology, and related phrases of negative.

4. www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › englishNEGATIVE definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

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   Learn the meaning, synonyms, and usage of the word 'negative' in different contexts. Find out how to pronounce, spell, and translate 'negative' in English and other languages.

5. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishnegative adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

   www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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   Definition of negative adjective in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

6. www.thefreedictionary.com › negativeNegative - definition of negative by The Free Dictionary

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   adj. 1. a. Expressing, containing, or consisting of a negation, refusal, or denial: gave a negative answer to our request. b. Indicating opposition or resistance: a negative reaction to the new advertising campaign. 2. Lacking positive or constructive features, especially: a. Unpleasant; disagreeable: had a negative experience on his first job. b.

7. www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › negativeNegative - Definition, Meaning & Synonyms | Vocabulary.com

   www.vocabulary.com › dictionary › negative

   Negative means focused on what is bad or lacking. A negative ad tells you bad things about the competition. A negative person loves to complain.

8. dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-englishNEGATIVE | meaning - Cambridge Learner's Dictionary

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   Learn the meaning of negative as an adjective and a noun in different contexts, such as attitude, effect, medicine, numbers and grammar. See translations of negative in other languages and examples of usage.