Pronunciation

/ˈneɡətɪv/

Definitions

• Adjective: Indicating the absence, withholding, or negation of something; not positive. For example: “A negative response to the proposal.”
• Noun: A negative statement or outcome; the opposite of a positive. In photography, a film or digital image where the colors and tones are reversed from reality (darks appear light, and lights appear dark). For example: “The test result was negative.”, “She developed the negatives from her camera.”
• Verb: (transitive) To deny, reject, or nullify something. For example: “She negatively impacted the project by missing the deadline.”

Phrases

• “Negative feedback” refers to criticism or information that points out flaws or suggests improvement.
• “Test negative” means the result of a test shows no presence of a substance or condition.
• “Negative space” in art or design refers to the area around and between the main subjects of an image.

Example Sentences

• Adjective: “His negative attitude made it hard to work with him.”
• Noun: “The doctor called to inform her that the COVID test was negative.”
• Verb: “The new regulations have negatively affected our business operations.”

Synonyms

• Adjective: Unfavorable, pessimistic, adverse, contradictory, opposing
• Noun: Antithesis, opposite, contradiction, denial, reverse
• Verb: Reject, refute, contradict, disapprove, nullify