negative negative /ˈnɛgətɪv/

adjective

1. () Characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features  ( negative )
   characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features
    A negative outlook on life
   a negative outlook on life
    A colorless negative personality
   a colorless negative personality
    A negative evaluation
   a negative evaluation
    A negative reaction to an advertising campaign
   a negative reaction to an advertising campaign
   
2. () Expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial  ( negative )
   expressing or consisting of a negation or refusal or denial
   
3. () Having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant  ( negative )
   having the quality of something harmful or unpleasant
    Ran a negative campaign
   ran a negative campaign
    Delinquents retarded by their negative outlook on life
   delinquents retarded by their negative outlook on life
   
4. Involving disadvantage or harm  ( minus , negative )
   involving disadvantage or harm
    Minus (or negative) factors
   minus (or negative) factors
   
5. Having a negative charge  ( electronegative , negative , negatively charged )
   having a negative charge
    Electrons are negative
   electrons are negative
   
6. Designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions  ( damaging , negative )
   designed or tending to discredit, especially without positive or helpful suggestions
    Negative criticism
   negative criticism
   
7. (mathematics) less than zero  ( negative )
   (mathematics) less than zero
    A negative number
   a negative number
   
8. Reckoned in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive  ( negative )
   reckoned in a direction opposite to that regarded as positive
    Negative interest rates
   negative interest rates
   
9. (medicine) not indicating the presence of microorganisms, disease or a specific condition  ( disconfirming , negative )
   (medicine) not indicating the presence of microorganisms, disease or a specific condition
    The HIV test was negative
   the HIV test was negative
   

noun

1. () A reply of denial  ( negative )
   a reply of denial
    He answered in the negative
   he answered in the negative
   
2. A piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed  ( negative )
   a piece of photographic film showing an image with light and shade or colors reversed
    He has a large collection of old film negatives
   He has a large collection of old film negatives
   
   

verb

1. Vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent  ( blackball , negative , veto )
   vote against; refuse to endorse; refuse to assent
    The President vetoed the bill
   The President vetoed the bill