negative
negative Lexical Profile
negative Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Expressing denial, refusal, or disagreement; consisting of or characterized by the absence rather than the presence of distinguishing features.
"The committee gave a negative response to the proposed budget increase."
Undesirable, harmful, or detrimental in effect or outcome.
"Prolonged sleep deprivation has a significant negative impact on cognitive performance."
Marked by pessimism, cynicism, or a tendency to emphasize unfavorable or harmful aspects rather than constructive ones.
"His persistently negative attitude made collaboration within the research team difficult."
Indicating the absence of a particular pathogen, medical condition, or chemical substance in a diagnostic test.
"The patient was relieved to learn that the biopsy results were negative."
Relating to a mathematical quantity less than zero, or to an electric charge of the same polarity as an electron.
"Electrons carry a negative electrical charge and orbit the dense atomic nucleus."
• noun
An unfavorable quality, disadvantage, or drawback of a situation or proposal.
"When evaluating the new policy, the board weighed the positives against the negatives."
A photographic image on transparent film or glass in which the light and dark areas of the original subject are reversed, used for making positive prints.
"The archivist carefully stored the vintage glass negatives in acid-free sleeves."
A word, statement, or reply that expresses denial, refusal, or disagreement.
"The spokesperson answered the reporter's question in the negative."
• verb
To refuse to accept, approve, or enact (a proposal, nomination, or motion).
"The legislative assembly voted to negative the proposed amendment."
To render ineffective, neutralize, or prove to be false.
"Subsequent experimental findings served to negative the original hypothesis."
Word Nuance & Usage
In medical and diagnostic testing, a 'negative' result indicates the absence of the condition, pathogen, or substance being tested for, which is typically a favorable outcome for the patient despite the word's generally unfavorable everyday connotation.
• Rhymes for negative
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in Middle English from Old French negatif, from Latin negativus ('that which denies'), derived from negatus, the past participle of negare ('to deny, say no').