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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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › english

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   NEGATIVE definition: 1. expressing "no": 2. A negative sentence or phrase is one that contains a word such as "not…. Learn more.

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

   www.merriam-webster.com › dictionary › negative

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   The meaning of NEGATIVE is marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal; also : marked by absence, withholding, or removal of something positive. How to use negative in a sentence.

4. 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.

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

   www.collinsdictionary.com › dictionary › english

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   A negative is a word, expression, or gesture that means 'no' or 'not'. In the past we have heard only negatives when it came to following a healthy diet. 5. adjective. In grammar, a negative clause contains a word such as 'not', ' never ', or 'no-one'. 6. adjective.

6. www.dictionary.com › browse › negativeNEGATIVE Definition & Meaning | Dictionary.com

   www.dictionary.com › browse › negative

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   Negative definition: expressing or containing negation or denial. See examples of NEGATIVE used in a sentence.

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

   www.thefreedictionary.com › negative

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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.

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

   dictionary.cambridge.org › dictionary › learner-english

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   NEGATIVE definition: 1. not having enthusiasm or positive opinions about something: 2. A negative effect is bad and…. Learn more.

9. 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.

10. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_englishnegative adjective - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › american_english

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    adjective. /ˈnɛɡət̮ɪv/ bad or harmful The crisis had a negative effect on trade. The whole experience was definitely more positive than negative. opposite positive. Take your English to the next level. The Oxford Learner’s Thesaurus explains the difference between groups of similar words.

11. www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › englishnegative noun - Definition, pictures, pronunciation and usage...

    www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com › definition › english

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    a word or statement that means ‘no’; an act of refusing to do something or of denying something. in the negative (formal) She answered in the negative (= said ‘no’). opposite affirmative. Oxford Collocations Dictionary.