negotiate
nuh-GOH-shee-ayt
Negotiate (verb) means to discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement. Example: “Can we negotiate the delivery date, or is it completely fixed?”
verb
1
To discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement.
"Can we negotiate the delivery date, or is it completely fixed?"
"The union is negotiating a new pay deal with management."
"They negotiated for hours before agreeing on a price."
2
To successfully deal with or get past a difficult obstacle.
"The hikers slowly negotiated the steep, rocky path down to the river."
"She negotiated her way through the crowded market with a pram."
"The driver carefully negotiated the icy bend."
How to use negotiate
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo talk things through to reach a deal, or to skilfully make your way past an obstacle.
Common pairings
negotiate a deal
negotiate a price
negotiate a bend/corner
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- negotiates
- Past tense
- negotiated
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Can we _____ the delivery date, or is it completely fixed?
Etymology
From Latin negotiari, "to do business," from negotium ("business"), itself from nec ("not") + otium ("leisure").
Related words
Rhymes for negotiate
See all rhymes for negotiate →Frequently asked questions
What does “negotiate” mean?
The word “negotiate” means to discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement. In plain terms, to talk things through to reach a deal, or to skilfully make your way past an obstacle.
How do you pronounce “negotiate”?
“Negotiate” is pronounced nuh-GOH-shee-ayt (/nəˈɡoʊ.ʃi.eɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “negotiate” in a sentence?
Here is “negotiate” used in a sentence: “They negotiated for hours before agreeing on a price.”
What part of speech is “negotiate”?
“Negotiate” is a verb.
Where does the word “negotiate” come from?
The word “negotiate” comes from Latin. From Latin negotiari, "to do business," from negotium ("business"), itself from nec ("not") + otium ("leisure").
Is “negotiate” a common word?
“Negotiate” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “negotiate” have?
“Negotiate” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement.
What is the difference between "negotiate" and "bargain"?
To "negotiate" is to discuss terms in order to reach an agreement, often covering many conditions and details. To "bargain" usually focuses more narrowly on haggling over a price or a single point.
What is the difference between "negotiate" and "mediate"?
When you "negotiate," you are one of the parties trying to reach a deal that benefits you. When you "mediate," you act as a neutral third party helping others reach their own agreement.
Which prepositions are used with "negotiate"?
You "negotiate with" the other party, "negotiate for" something you want to obtain, and "negotiate over" the issue or terms in dispute.
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