Origin: Latin suffix -ate
Negotiate has 3 different meanings across 1 category:
discuss the terms of an arrangement
"They negotiated the sale of the house"
To confer with others in order to come to terms or reach an agreement.
"The two companies met to negotiate a partnership that would benefit both sides."
In plain English: To negotiate means to talk with someone else back and forth until you both agree on something, often by making compromises.
"They had to negotiate with their landlord before they could move in."
Usage: Use negotiate when discussing the process of reaching an agreement through discussion, rather than simply arriving at one immediately. This verb often pairs with objects like a deal, peace treaty, or route, and should not be confused with negotiating as in moving physically over something without verbal interaction unless context clearly implies both meanings are intended.
The word "negotiate" entered English around 1598 from the Latin negōtiātus, originally meaning to do business or trade. It is derived from a combination of words implying that one was not at leisure, reflecting its early focus on commercial activity rather than modern diplomatic discussions.