Meaning of negative in English

1. Pronunciation

   /ˈnɛɡədɪv/

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1. Verb

   negative

   Definitions

   1. vote against

   Examples

   • « refuse to endorse »
   • « refuse to assent »
   • « The President vetoed the bill »

2. Classifying Adjective

   negative

   Definitions

   1. reckoned in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive

   Synonyms

   • backward
3. 2. having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant

   Examples

   • « ran a negative campaign »
   • « delinquents retarded by their negative outlook on life »

   Synonyms

   • bad
4. 3. less than zero

   Examples

   • « a negative number »

   Synonyms

   • minus
5. 4. designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions

   Examples

   • « negative criticism »

   Synonyms

   • destructive
6. 5. involving disadvantage or harm

   Examples

   • « minus (or negative) factors »

   Synonyms

   • disadvantageous
   • harmful

7. Noun

   negative

   Definitions

   1. a reply of denial

   Examples

   • « he answered in the negative »

   Antonyms

   • affirmative
8. 2. a piece of photographic film showing an image with black and white tones reversed

9. Qualitative Adjective

   negative

   Etymology

   late Middle English: from late Latin negativus, from negare‘deny’ (see negate)

   Definitions

   1. characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance

   Examples

   • « having no positive features »
   • « a negative outlook on life »
   • « a colorless negative personality »
   • « a negative evaluation »
   • « a negative reaction to an advertising campaign »

   Synonyms

   • antagonistic
   • counter
   • perverse

   Antonyms

   • neutral
   • positive
10. 2. having a negative electric charge

    Examples

    • « electrons are negative »

    Antonyms

    • neutral
    • electroneutral
    • positive
    • electropositive
11. 3. expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial

    Synonyms

    • dissentient
    • dissenting(a)
    • dissident
    • dismissive

    Antonyms

    • affirmative
    • affirmatory
12. 4. not indicating the presence of microorganisms or disease or a specific condition

    Examples

    • « the HIV test was negative »

    Antonyms

    • positive
    • confirming