The meaning of NEGATIVE is marked by denial, prohibition, or refusal; also : marked by absence, withholding, or removal of something positive. How to use negative in a sentence.

When we want to say that something is not true or is not the case, we can use negative words, phrases or clauses. Negation can happen in a number of ways, most commonly, when we use a negative …

Indicating opposition or resistance: a negative reaction to the new advertising campaign. 2. Lacking positive or constructive features, especially: a. Unpleasant; disagreeable: had a negative experience …

lacking positive attributes (opposed to positive): a dull, lifeless, negative character. lacking in constructiveness, helpfulness, optimism, cooperativeness, or the like: a man of negative viewpoint.

Feb 21, 2026 · Adjective negative (comparative more negative, superlative most negative) Not positive or neutral; bad; undesirable; unfavourable.

Definition of negative noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

There are 23 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun negative, nine of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

NEGATIVE definition: expressing or containing negation or denial. See examples of negative used in a sentence.

Indicating opposition or resistance. A negative reaction to the new advertising campaign.

[more negative; most negative] : thinking about the bad qualities of someone or something : thinking that a bad result will happen : not hopeful or optimistic