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negativeexpressing or containing denial or refusal; lacking positive qualities

Part of speech: ADJECTIVE

Definition: expressing or containing denial or refusal; lacking positive qualities

Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈneɡətɪv/

Example Sentences

  • My phone battery is negative about working past 3 PM.
  • The COVID test came back negative, which was great news.
  • Stop being so negative about Monday mornings - they're just Sundays in disguise!

negative

ADJECTIVE

[/ˈneɡətɪv/]

expressing or containing denial or refusal; lacking positive qualities

The boy had a negative attitude and thought he would fail before the race even started.
💡 Concept

The boy had a negative attitude and thought he would fail before the race even started.

The negative student said "no" to the science project before trying it. (NO + GIVE → give an idea no chance = negative)
🧠 Mnemonic

The negative student said "no" to the science project before trying it. (NO + GIVE → give an idea no chance = negative)

The negative student became creative and eventually innovative after deciding to try something new.
🎵 Rhyme

The negative student became creative and eventually innovative after deciding to try something new.

Got the picture? Now let's practice.

🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/ˈneɡətɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/ˈneɡətɪv/

🌳Etymology

Rootneg
Suffix--ative

Origin

From Latin 'negativus', derived from 'negare' meaning 'to deny or refuse'. The word entered English through Old French and Latin legal and philosophical terminology.

Breakdown

neg- (deny, refuse) + -ative (adjective suffix indicating a quality or state) = negative

🎵Rhyme

positiveactivecreative
positive
active
creative

🔗Collocations

negative attitude
negative impact
negative feedback
negative side effects
test negative
negative space

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

My phone battery is negative about working past 3 PM.

The COVID test came back negative, which was great news.

😄 Fun example

Stop being so negative about Monday mornings - they're just Sundays in disguise!

The negative effects of pollution on the environment are becoming more serious.

📚Related Words

Synonyms

pessimisticunfavorableadversedetrimentalharmful

Antonyms

positiveoptimisticfavorable

Related

denialrejectioncriticismopposition

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