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Added 9 October 2026

negative

/ˈnɛɡ.ə.tɪv/ noun

Latin root: negātīvus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about negative at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A reply of denial.
he answered in the negative
A piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed.

verb

Vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent.
The President vetoed the bill

adjective

Characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features.
a negative outlook on life
Expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial.
Having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant.
ran a negative campaign

Origin

From Middle English negative, negatif, from Old French negatif, from Latin negātīvus (“that denies, negative”), from negāre (“to deny”); see negate.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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