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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

   • Cached

   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.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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. www.yourdictionary.com › negativeNegative Definition & Meaning | YourDictionary

    www.yourdictionary.com › negative

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    Negative Definition. A negative reply. Indicating opposition or resistance. A negative reaction to the new advertising campaign. Opposite to something regarded as positive. Of, generating, or charged with negative electricity. A quantity less than zero, or one to be subtracted; minus quantity.

11. www.britannica.com › dictionary › negativeNegative Definition & Meaning | Britannica Dictionary

    www.britannica.com › dictionary › negative

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    NEGATIVE meaning: 1 : harmful or bad not wanted; 2 : thinking about the bad qualities of someone or something thinking that a bad result will happen not hopeful or optimistic