Negative: meaning, definitions and examples

๐Ÿ‘Ž
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negative

 

[หˆnษ›ษกษ™tษชv ]

Definitions

Context #1 | Adjective

emotion

expressing or implying denial or refusal; not positive or affirmative.

Synonyms

adverse, pessimistic, unfavorable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
negative

Use this word when mentioning something that is harmful, undesirable, or lacking positivity. It often describes moods, situations, outcomes, or feedback.

  • She received negative feedback on her report.
  • The test results were negative for any diseases.
unfavorable

This word is suited when describing conditions, opinions, or situations that are not beneficial or are against one's interests.

  • The company faced unfavorable market conditions.
  • She received an unfavorable review from her boss.
pessimistic

Use this word when describing a negative outlook on life or situations, often expecting the worst outcomes.

  • He has a pessimistic view of the future.
  • Her pessimistic attitude made it hard to motivate her.
adverse

This word fits when talking about harmful effects or unfavorable conditions, especially in formal or medical contexts.

  • The medication had adverse side effects.
  • They continued their journey despite the adverse weather conditions.

Examples of usage

  • He gave a negative response to the proposal.
  • I am feeling very negative about the situation.
Context #2 | Noun

mathematics

a quantity less than zero, such as โˆ’3.

Synonyms

less than zero, minus, opposite.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
negative

Used to describe numerical values below zero, opposite of positive, or a general lack of something. Often used in contexts where the absence of positivity is being highlighted.

  • He has a negative account balance.
  • The feedback from the clients was mostly negative.
minus

Commonly used in mathematics to indicate subtraction or negative numbers. It can also be used informally to signify a lack or deficiency of something.

  • Five minus three equals two.
  • The report card had a minus next to the subject he failed.
opposite

Employed to describe something that is completely different or contrary to another thing. It is more general and can be used in various contexts, like direction, nature, or opinion.

  • North is the opposite direction of South.
  • Her views are the opposite of mine on many issues.
less than zero

Primarily used in mathematical or scientific contexts to describe numerical values that are below zero.

  • The equation shows that the result is less than zero.
  • The company's profits were less than zero last quarter.

Examples of usage

  • The number line includes both positive and negative numbers.
  • She struggled with understanding negative integers in math class.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'negativus', which means 'that denies' or 'to say no'.
  • It was first used in the English language around the 15th century.
  • In mathematics, it describes numbers less than zero, a concept first documented in ancient India.

Psychology

  • Negative emotions, like sadness or anger, can provide important feedback about our experiences and needs.
  • Research shows that our brains tend to focus more on negative experiences than positive ones, a phenomenon known as negativity bias.
  • Cognitive-behavioral therapy often addresses negative thoughts to help improve mental well-being.

Pop Culture

  • Songs often explore themes of negativity, like heartbreak or disappointment, resonating with many listeners.
  • Movies that portray negative outcomes often serve as cautionary tales that encourage viewers to reflect on their choices.
  • Social media can amplify negative emotions, making it essential to manage online interactions.

Science

  • In chemistry, a negative charge refers to an excess of electrons, which is crucial for understanding chemical reactions.
  • Negative pressure in physics refers to a system that can sustain force without needing supportive pressure, often seen in vacuum systems.
  • Negative feedback is essential in system control, where a change triggers an effect that reduces that initial change.

Literature

  • Many literary works use negativity to highlight conflict, character flaws, or societal issues, creating depth in stories.
  • The use of negative language can effectively build tension in narratives, keeping readers engaged.
  • Poems often reflect on negative emotions to help readers process their feelings, making them relatable.

Translations

Translations of the word "negative" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น negativo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเค•เคพเคฐเคพเคคเฅเคฎเค•

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช negativ

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ negatif

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะตะณะฐั‚ะธะฒะฝะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ negatywny

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒใ‚ฌใƒ†ใ‚ฃใƒ–

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท nรฉgatif

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ negativo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท negatif

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋ถ€์ •์ ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุณู„ุจูŠ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ negativnรญ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ negatรญvny

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่ดŸ้ข็š„

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ negativen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ neikvรฆรฐur

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ั‚ะตั€ั–ั

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒฃแƒแƒ แƒงแƒแƒคแƒ˜แƒ—แƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ mษ™nfi

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ negativo

Word Frequency Rank

Positioned at #1,190, this word is part of core intermediate vocabulary. It appears regularly in various contexts and is essential for natural-sounding English.