Meaning of negative in English
Verb
negativeDefinitions
1. vote againstExamples
- « refuse to endorse »
- « refuse to assent »
- « The President vetoed the bill »
Classifying Adjective
negativeDefinitions
1. reckoned in a direction opposite to that regarded as positiveSynonyms
- 2. having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant
Examples
- « ran a negative campaign »
- « delinquents retarded by their negative outlook on life »
Synonyms
- 3. less than zero
Examples
- « a negative number »
Synonyms
- 4. designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions
Examples
- « negative criticism »
Synonyms
- 5. involving disadvantage or harm
Examples
- « minus (or negative) factors »
Synonyms
Noun
negativeDefinitions
1. a reply of denialExamples
- « he answered in the negative »
Antonyms
- 2. a piece of photographic film showing an image with black and white tones reversed
Qualitative Adjective
negativeEtymology
late Middle English: from late Latin negativus, from negare‘deny’ (see negate)Definitions
1. characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistanceExamples
- « having no positive features »
- « a negative outlook on life »
- « a colorless negative personality »
- « a negative evaluation »
- « a negative reaction to an advertising campaign »
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 2. having a negative electric charge
Examples
- « electrons are negative »
Antonyms
- 3. expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial
Synonyms
Antonyms
- 4. not indicating the presence of microorganisms or disease or a specific condition
Examples
- « the HIV test was negative »
Antonyms