Origin: Latin suffix -ive
Negative has 16 different meanings across 4 categories:
a piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed
"The photographer developed the old roll to reveal the negative, which showed the scene in complete reverse before printing it onto paper."
Refusal or withholding of assents; prohibition, veto
"The board's negative on the merger proposal effectively blocked any further discussions until a new strategy was presented."
In plain English: A negative is something bad, unpleasant, or unfavorable.
"The doctor gave him a negative test result for the flu."
Usage: Use "negative" as a noun to refer to an official rejection, such as when a committee returns a proposal without approval. It functions similarly to a veto but often implies a formal decision rather than just a simple refusal.
To refuse; to veto.
"The committee voted negative on the proposal, effectively killing the new initiative before it could begin."
In plain English: To negative something means to say no to it or reject it.
"The doctor negative the test results after re-examining them."
Usage: Use "negative" as a verb when you want to formally express disapproval or reject a proposal, though it is more common in British English than American English where "veto" or "reject" are often preferred. For example, the committee may negative the motion if no one supports it.
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
"a negative outlook on life"
"a colorless negative personality"
"a negative evaluation"
"a negative reaction to an advertising campaign"
expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial
"The manager gave us a negative answer when we asked to extend our deadline."
having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant
"ran a negative campaign"
"delinquents retarded by their negative outlook on life"
not indicating the presence of microorganisms or disease or a specific condition
"the HIV test was negative"
Not positive nor neutral.
"The test results came back negative, confirming that the patient does not have the virus."
In plain English: Negative means not positive, usually describing something bad, wrong, or lacking value.
"The test result came back negative, so the doctor told him to go home and rest."
Usage: Use "negative" as an adjective to describe something that lacks a positive quality, such as having harmful effects or failing to produce a result. Avoid using it simply to mean "neutral" when describing emotions or situations that are merely undecided.
An elaborate synonym for no.
"When I asked if he wanted to join us for dinner, his negative response was so polite it almost sounded like a gentle suggestion rather than a flat refusal."
The word entered English via the Old French negatif and derives from the Latin negativus, meaning "that denies." It comes directly from the verb negare, which means to deny, reflecting its current sense of expressing denial or opposition.