negative
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Related to negative: Negative Exponents, Negative ions
neg·a·tive
(nĕg′ə-tĭv)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. Gloomy; pessimistic: a negative outlook.
c. Unfavorable or detrimental: a negative review; a negative effect on the child's development.
d. Hostile or disparaging; malicious: ran a negative campaign against her opponent.
3. Medicine Not indicating the presence of a particular disease, condition, or organism.
4. Philosophy Of or relating to non-being or the absence of qualities rather than being or the possession of qualities: the purely negative virtue of unselfishness.
5. Logic Designating a proposition that denies agreement between a subject and its predicate.
6. Mathematics
a. Of or relating to a quantity less than zero.
b. Of or relating to the sign (-).
c. Of or relating to a quantity to be subtracted from another.
d. Of or relating to a quantity, number, angle, velocity, or direction in a sense opposite to another of the same magnitude indicated or understood to be positive.
7. Physics
a. Of or relating to an electric charge of the same sign as that of an electron, indicated by the symbol (-).
b. Of or relating to a body that has more electrons than protons.
8. Chemistry Of or relating to an ion, the anion, that is attracted to a positive electrode.
9. Biology Moving or turning away from a stimulus, such as light: a negative tropism.
n.
1. A statement or act indicating or expressing a contradiction, denial, or refusal.
2.
a. A statement or act that is highly critical of another or of others: campaign advertising that was based solely on negatives.
b. Something that lacks all positive, affirmative, or encouraging features; an element that is the counterpoint of the positive: "Life is full of overwhelming odds. You can't really eliminate the negatives but you can diminish them" (Art Linkletter).
c. A feature or characteristic that is not deemed positive, affirmative, or desirable: "As voters get to know his liberal views, his negatives will rise" (Richard M. Nixon).
3. Grammar A word or part of a word, such as no, not, or non-, that indicates negation. See Usage Note at double negative.
4. The side in a debate that contradicts or opposes the question being debated.
5.
a. An image in which the light areas of the object rendered appear dark and the dark areas appear light.
b. A film, plate, or other photographic material containing such an image.
6. Mathematics A negative quantity.
tr.v. neg·a·tived, neg·a·tiv·ing, neg·a·tives
1. To refuse to approve; veto.
2. To deny; contradict.
3. To demonstrate to be false; disprove.
4. To counteract or neutralize.
[Middle English, from Old French negatif, from Latin negātīvus, from negātus, past participle of negāre, to deny; see negate.]
neg′a·tive·ly adv.
neg′a·tive·ness, neg′a·tiv′i·ty (-tĭv′ĭ-tē) n.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
negative
(ˈnɛɡətɪv)adj
1. expressing or meaning a refusal or denial: a negative answer.
2. lacking positive or affirmative qualities, such as enthusiasm, interest, or optimism
3. showing or tending towards opposition or resistance
4.
a. measured in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive
b. having the same magnitude but opposite sense to an equivalent positive quantity
5. (Biology) biology indicating movement or growth away from a particular stimulus: negative geotropism.
6. (Medicine) med (of the results of a diagnostic test) indicating absence of the disease or condition for which the test was made
8. (General Physics) physics
a. (of an electric charge) having the same polarity as the charge of an electron
b. (of a body, system, ion, etc) having a negative electric charge; having an excess of electrons
c. (of a point in an electric circuit) having a lower electrical potential than some other point with an assigned zero potential
9. (Chemistry) short for electronegative
10. (General Physics) short for electronegative
11. (Photography) of or relating to a photographic negative
12. (Logic) logic (of a categorial proposition) denying the satisfaction by the subject of the predicate, as in some men are irrational; no pigs have wings
13. (Astrology) astrology of, relating to, or governed by the signs of the zodiac of the earth and water classifications, which are thought to be associated with a receptive passive nature
14. (Biochemistry) short for Rh negative
n
15. a statement or act of denial, refusal, or negation
16. a negative person or thing
17. (Photography) photog a piece of photographic film or a plate, previously exposed and developed, showing an image that, in black-and-white photography, has a reversal of tones. In colour photography the image is in complementary colours to the subject so that blue sky appears yellow, green grass appears purple, etc
18. (General Physics) physics a negative object, such as a terminal or a plate in a voltaic cell
19. (Linguistics) a sentence or other linguistic element with a negative meaning, as the English word not
20. (Mathematics) a quantity less than zero or a quantity to be subtracted
21. (Logic) logic a negative proposition
22. archaic the right of veto
23. in the negative indicating denial or refusal
sentence substitute
(Military) (esp in military communications) a signal code word for no1
vb (tr)
24. to deny or nullify; negate
25. to show to be false; disprove
26. to refuse to consent to or approve of: the proposal was negatived.
ˈnegatively adv
ˈnegativeness, ˌnegaˈtivity n
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
neg•a•tive
(ˈnɛg ə tɪv)adj., n., adv., v. -tived, -tiv•ing,
interj. adj.
1. expressing or containing negation or denial: a negative response to the question.
2. refusing consent, as to a proposal: a negative reply to my request.
3. expressing refusal or resistance: a negative attitude about cooperating.
4. unfavorable: negative criticism.
5. prohibitory, as a command or order.
6. lacking positive attributes (opposed to positive): a negative character.
7. lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, or the like: a negative approach to problem solving.
8. being without rewards, results, or effectiveness: a search of the premises proved negative.
9. Math.
a. involving or noting subtraction; minus.
b. measured or proceeding in the direction opposite to that which is considered as positive.
10. Photog. noting an image in which the brightness values of the subject are reproduced so that the lightest areas are shown as the darkest.
11.
a. of or pertaining to the electric charge of a body that has an excess of electrons.
b. (of a point in a circuit) having lower potential, therefore drawing the flow of current.
12. Med. failing to show a positive result in a diagnostic test.
13. Chem. (of an element or group) tending to gain electrons and become negatively charged; acid.
14. Physiol. responding in a direction away from the stimulus.
15. of, pertaining to, or noting the S pole of a magnet.
16. Logic. (of a proposition) denying the truth of the predicate with regard to the subject.
n. 17. a negative statement, answer, word, gesture, etc.: The ship signaled back a negative.
18. a refusal of assent: to answer a request with a negative.
19. the negative form of statement.
20. one or more persons arguing against a resolution, statement, etc., esp. a team in a formal debate.
21. a negative quality or characteristic.
22. disadvantage; drawback: a brilliant plan with only one negative.
23. Math.
a. a minus sign.
b. a negative quantity or symbol.
24. Photog. a negative image, as on a film, used chiefly for making positives.
25. Archaic. a veto, or right of veto.
adv. 26. (used to indicate a negative response): “You won't come with us?” “Negative.”
v.t. 27. to deny; contradict.
28. to refute or disprove (something).
29. to refuse assent or consent to; veto.
30. to neutralize or counteract.
interj. 31. (used to indicate disagreement, denial of permission, etc.)
[1350–1400; Middle English negatif < Middle French < Latin negātīvus denying]
neg′a•tive•ly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
neg·a·tive
(nĕg′ə-tĭv)1. Less than zero, as -3.
2. Having the electric charge of an electron. The symbol for a negative charge is a minus sign.
3. Having more electrons than protons. Negatively charged bodies, such as atoms or molecules, repel other negatively charged bodies but attract positively charged bodies.
4. Not showing the presence of a suspected disease or microorganism, as in a blood test.
The American Heritage® Student Science Dictionary, Second Edition. Copyright © 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
negative
Past participle: negatived
Gerund: negativing
| Imperative |
|---|
| negative |
| negative |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
negative
A photographic image, plate, or film in which the actual light areas appear dark and vice versa.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. | negative - a reply of denial; "he answered in the negative" denial - the act of refusing to comply (as with a request); "it resulted in a complete denial of his privileges" no - a negative; "his no was loud and clear" nay - a negative; "the nays have it" double negative - a grammatically substandard but emphatic negative; "I don't never go" affirmative - a reply of affirmation; "he answered in the affirmative" |
| 2. | negative - a piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed photographic film, film - photographic material consisting of a base of celluloid covered with a photographic emulsion; used to make negatives or transparencies | |
| Verb | 1. |  negative - vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent; "The President vetoed the bill"vote down, vote out, defeat, kill, shoot down - thwart the passage of; "kill a motion"; "he shot down the student's proposal" |
| Adj. | 1. | negative - characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features; "a negative outlook on life"; "a colorless negative personality"; "a negative evaluation"; "a negative reaction to an advertising campaign" destructive - causing destruction or much damage; "a policy that is destructive to the economy"; "destructive criticism" pessimistic - expecting the worst possible outcome unsupportive - not furnishing support or assistance neutral - possessing no distinctive quality or characteristics positive - characterized by or displaying affirmation or acceptance or certainty etc.; "a positive attitude"; "the reviews were all positive"; "a positive benefit"; "a positive demand" |
| 2. | negative - expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial unfavorable, unfavourable - not encouraging or approving or pleasing; "unfavorable conditions"; "an unfavorable comparison"; "unfavorable comments", "unfavorable impression" disinclined - unwilling because of mild dislike or disapproval; "disinclined to say anything to anybody" affirmative, affirmatory - affirming or giving assent; "an affirmative decision"; "affirmative votes" | |
| 3. | negative - having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant; "ran a negative campaign"; "delinquents retarded by their negative outlook on life" bad - having undesirable or negative qualities; "a bad report card"; "his sloppy appearance made a bad impression"; "a bad little boy"; "clothes in bad shape"; "a bad cut"; "bad luck"; "the news was very bad"; "the reviews were bad"; "the pay is bad"; "it was a bad light for reading"; "the movie was a bad choice" | |
| 4. | negative - not indicating the presence of microorganisms or disease or a specific condition; "the HIV test was negative" medical specialty, medicine - the branches of medical science that deal with nonsurgical techniques confirming, positive - indicating existence or presence of a suspected condition or pathogen; "a positive pregnancy test" | |
| 5. | negative - reckoned in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive; "negative interest rates" positive - reckoned, situated or tending in the direction which naturally or arbitrarily is taken to indicate increase or progress or onward motion; "positive increase in graduating students" | |
| 6. | negative - less than zero; "a negative number" math, mathematics, maths - a science (or group of related sciences) dealing with the logic of quantity and shape and arrangement minus - on the negative side or lower end of a scale; "minus 5 degrees"; "a grade of B minus" | |
| 7. | negative - designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions; "negative criticism" destructive - causing destruction or much damage; "a policy that is destructive to the economy"; "destructive criticism" | |
| 8. | negative - having a negative charge; "electrons are negative" charged - of a particle or body or system; having a net amount of positive or negative electric charge; "charged particles"; "a charged battery" | |
| 9. | negative - involving disadvantage or harm; "minus (or negative) factors" disadvantageous - constituting a disadvantage |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
negative
adjective
1. neutralizing, invalidating, annulling, nullifying, counteractive This will have a very serious negative effect on economic recovery.
2. pessimistic, cynical, unwilling, gloomy, antagonistic, jaundiced, uncooperative, contrary There's no point in going along to an interview with a negative attitude.
pessimistic positive, optimistic, enthusiastic, cheerful
pessimistic positive, optimistic, enthusiastic, cheerful
3. dissenting, contradictory, refusing, denying, rejecting, opposing, resisting, contrary Dr. Velayati gave a vague but negative response.
dissenting positive, approving, affirmative, concurring, assenting
dissenting positive, approving, affirmative, concurring, assenting
noun
1. denial, no, refusal, rejection, contradiction We were fobbed off with a crisp negative.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
negative
adjectiveTending to discourage, retard, or make more difficult:
1. To prevent or forbid authoritatively:
Slang: nix.
Idiom: turn thumbs down on.
2. To refuse to admit the truth, reality, value, or worth of:
Law: traverse.
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
záporzápornýnegativnegativní
negativnægtelse
kieltävä vastausnegatiivinen
negativanniječnica
elutasítónemlegestagadószó
negatífaneikvæîurneikvæîur, mínus-neikvæîur, neikvæî hleîslaneitandi, neikvæîur
否定の否定の答え
부정적인부정적인 말(태도)
negatyvasnegatyviainegatyvusneigiamaineiginys
negatīvsnegatīvs, mīnus-negatīvs, noraidošsnoliedzošsnoliegums
negatívzápor
negativnegativennikalennikalnica
negativnekande
คำปฏิเสธที่เป็นด้านลบ
lời từ chốitiêu cực
negative
[ˈnegətɪv]A. ADJ (all senses) → negativo
a negative answer or reply or response → una negativa, una respuesta negativa
the test proved negative → el análisis dio negativo
negative cash flow → liquidez f negativa
negative feedback → reacción f desfavorable
a negative answer or reply or response → una negativa, una respuesta negativa
the test proved negative → el análisis dio negativo
negative cash flow → liquidez f negativa
negative feedback → reacción f desfavorable
B. N
1. (= negative reply) → negativa f
he answered in the negative → contestó negativamente, contestó que no
he answered in the negative → contestó negativamente, contestó que no
3. (Phot) → negativo m
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
negative
[ˈnɛgətɪv] adj
(= bad) [fact, situation, experience, effect] → négatif/ive
All this had an extremely negative effect on teachers → Tout ceci a eu un effet extrêmement négatif sur les enseignants.
All this had an extremely negative effect on teachers → Tout ceci a eu un effet extrêmement négatif sur les enseignants.
(= unfavourable) [view] → négatif/ive
[response, answer] → négatif/ive
We expected to receive a negative answer → Nous nous attendions à recevoir une réponse négative.
We expected to receive a negative answer → Nous nous attendions à recevoir une réponse négative.
[person, attitude] → négatif/ive
He's got a very negative attitude → Il a une attitude très négative.
Why do you have to be so negative about everything? → Pourquoi devez-vous être si négatif en toutes choses?
He's got a very negative attitude → Il a une attitude très négative.
Why do you have to be so negative about everything? → Pourquoi devez-vous être si négatif en toutes choses?
[result, test] → négatif/ive
The pregnancy test proved negative → Le test de grossesse s'est avéré négatif.
to have a negative result → être testé négatif
I had a negative result for HIV → J'ai été testé séronégatif.
The pregnancy test proved negative → Le test de grossesse s'est avéré négatif.
to have a negative result → être testé négatif
I had a negative result for HIV → J'ai été testé séronégatif.
[electron, charge] → négatif/ive
[number, score] → négatif/ivenegative equity n situation dans laquelle la valeur d'une maison est inférieure à celle de l'emprunt-logement contracté pour la payer
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
negative
adj → negativ; answer → verneinend; (Gram) form → verneint; negative ion → Anion nt; negative cash flow (Fin) → Überhang m → der Zahlungsausgänge; negative campaigning (Pol) negativer Wahlkampf; negative vote → Gegenstimme f; I got a negative reply to my request → ich habe auf meinen Antrag einen abschlägigen Bescheid bekommen
n
(also Gram) → Verneinung f; to answer in the negative → eine verneinende Antwort geben; (= say no) → mit Nein antworten; (= refuse) → einen abschlägigen Bescheid geben; his answer was a curt negative → er antwortete mit einem knappen Nein; put this sentence into the negative → verneinen Sie diesen Satz; how do you express this statement in the negative? → wie drückt man diesen Satz verneint or in der Verneinungsform aus?
(Gram: = word) → Verneinungswort nt, → Negation f; (Math) → negative Zahl; two negatives make a positive (Math) → zweimal minus gibt plus
(Phot) → Negativ nt
interj → nein
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
negative
[ˈnɛgətɪv]1. adj → negativo/a
2. n
a. (answer) his answer was a firm negative → ha risposto con un fermo no or con un fermo diniego
an answer in the negative → una risposta negativa
to answer in the negative → rispondere negativamente or di no
an answer in the negative → una risposta negativa
to answer in the negative → rispondere negativamente or di no
d. (Elec) → polo negativo
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
negative
(ˈnegətiv) adjective1. meaning or saying `no'; denying something. a negative answer.
2. expecting to fail. a negative attitude.
3. less than zero. –4 is a negative or minus number.
4. having more electrons than normal. The battery has a negative and a positive terminal.
noun1. a word etc by which something is denied. `No' and `never' are negatives.
2. the photographic film, from which prints are made, on which light and dark are reversed. I gave away the print, but I still have the negative.
ˈnegatively adverbKernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
negative
→ سَلْبِيٌّ, سَلبِيٌّ negativní, zápor negativ Negativ αρνητικό, αρνητικός negación, negativo kieltävä vastaus, negatiivinen négatif, négation negativan, niječnica negativo 否定の, 否定の答え 부정적인, 부정적인 말(태도) negatief, ontkenning negativ negatywny, przeczenie negativo негативный, негативный ответ negativ, nekande คำปฏิเสธ, ที่เป็นด้านลบ olumsuz lời từ chối, tiêu cực 否定词, 负面的Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
neg·a·tive
a. negativo-a;
___ culture → cultivo ___;
adv. negativamente.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
negative
adj & n negativo; false — falso negativo; true — verdadero negativoEnglish-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.