Transcription
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
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- [neg-uh-tiv]
- /ˈnɛg ə tɪv/
- /ˈneɡətɪv/
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- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [neg-uh-tiv]
- /ˈnɛg ə tɪv/
Definitions of negative word
- adjective negative expressing or containing negation or denial: a negative response to the question. 1
- adjective negative refusing consent, as to a proposal: a negative reply to my request. 1
- adjective negative expressing refusal to do something: He maintained a negative attitude about cooperating. 1
- adjective negative prohibitory, as a command or order. 1
- adjective negative characterized by the absence of distinguishing or marked qualities or features; lacking positive attributes (opposed to positive): a dull, lifeless, negative character. 1
- adjective negative lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, cooperativeness, or the like: a man of negative viewpoint. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of negative
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; < Latin negātīvus denying (see negate, -ive); replacing Middle English negatif (noun and adj.) < Middle French < Latin as above
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Negative
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
negative popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 95% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
negative usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for negative
adj negative
- unfavorable — not favorable; contrary; adverse: an unfavorable wind.
- adverse — Adverse decisions, conditions, or effects are unfavourable to you.
- pessimistic — pertaining to or characterized by pessimism or the tendency to expect only bad outcomes; gloomy; joyless; unhopeful: His pessimistic outlook kept him from applying for jobs for which he was perfectly qualified.
- gloomy — dark or dim; deeply shaded: gloomy skies.
- weak — not strong; liable to yield, break, or collapse under pressure or strain; fragile; frail: a weak fortress; a weak spot in armor.
noun negative
- rejection — the act or process of rejecting.
- rebuff — a blunt or abrupt rejection, as of a person making advances.
- veto — the power or right vested in one branch of a government to cancel or postpone the decisions, enactments, etc., of another branch, especially the right of a president, governor, or other chief executive to reject bills passed by the legislature.
- nix — nothing.
- thumbs down — the short, thick, inner digit of the human hand, next to the forefinger.
adjective negative
- unconstructive — helping to improve; promoting further development or advancement (opposed to destructive): constructive criticism.
- unhelpful — giving or rendering aid or assistance; of service: Your comments were very helpful.
- downbeat — the downward stroke of a conductor's arm or baton indicating the first or accented beat of a measure.
- disapproving — Expressing an unfavorable opinion.
- off-putting — provoking uneasiness, dislike, annoyance, or repugnance; disturbing or disagreeable.
verb negative
- compensate — To compensate someone for money or things that they have lost means to pay them money or give them something to replace that money or those things.
- invalidate — to render invalid; discredit.
- countercheck — a check or restraint, esp one that acts in opposition to another
- stick to — to pierce or puncture with something pointed, as a pin, dagger, or spear; stab: to stick one's finger with a needle.
- turn around — move to face away
adverb negative
- not by any means — in no way, by no method
- not at all — in no way, to no extent
- nope — no1 (def 1).
- by no means — on no account; in no way
- no way — refusal
Antonyms for negative
adj negative
noun negative
- approval — If you win someone's approval for something that you ask for or suggest, they agree to it.
adjective negative
- encouraging — Giving someone support or confidence; supportive.
- favourable — Pleasing, encouraging or approving.
Top questions with negative
- what is negative interest rate?
- how do negative interest rates work?
- what are negative interest rates?
- which of these is an example of negative feedback?
- what does negative mean?
- what is negative feedback?
- what is a negative interest rate?
- who invented negative numbers?
- what is triple negative breast cancer?
- what is negative reinforcement?
- how to deal with negative people?
- what does a negative tb test look like?
- what is a negative times a positive?
- how to get rid of negative equity?
- how to square a negative number?
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with n
- Words starting with ne
- Words starting with neg
- Words starting with nega
- Words starting with negat
- Words starting with negati
- Words starting with negativ
- Words starting with negative