Negative meaning

What does “negative” mean? Definitions, examples, synonyms and opposites.

“negative” is a noun, verb and adjective with 12 meanings. Its most common meaning is: a reply of denial.

negative

a reply of denial
“he answered in the negative”
Oppositesaffirmative
a piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed

vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
“The President vetoed the bill”
Synonymsveto blackball

characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
“a negative outlook on life”
“a colorless negative personality”
Oppositesneutral positive
expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial
Oppositesaffirmative
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”
Synonymsdisconfirming
Oppositespositive
reckoned in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive
“negative interest rates”
Oppositespositive
less than zero
“a negative number”
designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions
“negative criticism”
Synonymsdamaging
having a negative charge
“electrons are negative”
Synonymselectronegative negatively charged
involving disadvantage or harm
“minus (or negative) factors”
Synonymsminus

Source: WordNet 3.1, Princeton University