negative
♦ nega|tive /n'egətɪv/ (negatives)
1 [ADJ]
A fact, situation, or experience that is negative is unpleasant, depressing, or harmful.
The news from overseas is overwhelmingly negative...
All this had an extremely negative effect on the criminal justice system.
≠ positive
● negatively [ADV] ADV with v
This will negatively affect the result over the first half of the year.
2 [ADJ]
If someone is negative or has a negative attitude, they consider only the bad aspects of a situation, rather than the good ones.
When asked for your views about your current job, on no account must you be negative about it...
Why does the media present such a negative view of this splendid city?
≠ positive
● negatively [ADV] usu ADV after v
A few weeks later he said that maybe he viewed all his relationships rather negatively.
● negativity [N-UNCOUNT]
I loathe negativity. I can't stand people who moan.
3 [ADJ]
A negative reply or decision indicates the answer `no'.
Dr Velayati gave a vague but negative response...
Upon a negative decision, the applicant loses the protection offered by Belgian law...
≠ affirmative
● negatively [ADV] ADV after v
60 percent of the sample answered negatively...
4 [N-COUNT]
A negative is a word, expression, or gesture that means `no' or `not'.
In the past we have heard only negatives when it came to following a healthy diet.
5 [ADJ]
In grammar, a negative clause contains a word such as `not', `never', or `no-one'.
6 [ADJ]
If a medical test or scientific test is negative, it shows no evidence of the medical condition or substance that you are looking for.
So far 57 have taken the test and all have been negative.
...negative test results.
≠ positive
7
HIV negative: see HIV
8 [N-COUNT]
In photography, a negative is an image that shows dark areas as light and light areas as dark. Negatives are made from a camera film, and are used to print photographs.
9 [ADJ]
A negative charge or current has the same electrical charge as an electron.
Stimulate the site of greatest pain with a small negative current.
≠ positive
● negatively [ADV] ADV -ed
As these electrons are negatively charged they will attempt to repel each other.
10 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A negative number, quantity, or measurement is less than zero.
The weakest students can end up with a negative score.
= minus
11 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If an answer is in the negative, it is `no' or means `no'.
Seventy-nine voted in the affirmative, and none in the negative.nega|tive equi|ty
[N-UNCOUNT]
If someone who has borrowed money to buy a house or flat has negative equity, the amount of money they owe is greater than the present value of their home. (BRIT BUSINESS)
1 [ADJ]
A fact, situation, or experience that is negative is unpleasant, depressing, or harmful.
The news from overseas is overwhelmingly negative...
All this had an extremely negative effect on the criminal justice system.
≠ positive
● negatively [ADV] ADV with v
This will negatively affect the result over the first half of the year.
2 [ADJ]
If someone is negative or has a negative attitude, they consider only the bad aspects of a situation, rather than the good ones.
When asked for your views about your current job, on no account must you be negative about it...
Why does the media present such a negative view of this splendid city?
≠ positive
● negatively [ADV] usu ADV after v
A few weeks later he said that maybe he viewed all his relationships rather negatively.
● negativity [N-UNCOUNT]
I loathe negativity. I can't stand people who moan.
3 [ADJ]
A negative reply or decision indicates the answer `no'.
Dr Velayati gave a vague but negative response...
Upon a negative decision, the applicant loses the protection offered by Belgian law...
≠ affirmative
● negatively [ADV] ADV after v
60 percent of the sample answered negatively...
4 [N-COUNT]
A negative is a word, expression, or gesture that means `no' or `not'.
In the past we have heard only negatives when it came to following a healthy diet.
5 [ADJ]
In grammar, a negative clause contains a word such as `not', `never', or `no-one'.
6 [ADJ]
If a medical test or scientific test is negative, it shows no evidence of the medical condition or substance that you are looking for.
So far 57 have taken the test and all have been negative.
...negative test results.
≠ positive
7
HIV negative: see HIV
8 [N-COUNT]
In photography, a negative is an image that shows dark areas as light and light areas as dark. Negatives are made from a camera film, and are used to print photographs.
9 [ADJ]
A negative charge or current has the same electrical charge as an electron.
Stimulate the site of greatest pain with a small negative current.
≠ positive
● negatively [ADV] ADV -ed
As these electrons are negatively charged they will attempt to repel each other.
10 [ADJ] usu ADJ n
A negative number, quantity, or measurement is less than zero.
The weakest students can end up with a negative score.
= minus
11 [PHRASE] PHR after v
If an answer is in the negative, it is `no' or means `no'.
Seventy-nine voted in the affirmative, and none in the negative.nega|tive equi|ty
[N-UNCOUNT]
If someone who has borrowed money to buy a house or flat has negative equity, the amount of money they owe is greater than the present value of their home. (BRIT BUSINESS)