neg

¹ American  

[neg] / nɛg /

noun

1. Informal. a photographic negative.

2. Slang. a backhanded compliment, especially one used when flirting.

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verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to imply that (someone or something) is not good enough; to insult with a backhanded compliment or with qualified approval, especially as a ploy to lower the self-esteem of a person or cheapen an object before showing romantic interest or making an offer.

   He negged me for my weight while insisting that curvy ladies can be sexy too.

neg. ² American  

abbreviation

1. negative.

2. negatively.

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NEG ¹ British  

abbreviation

1. negative

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neg. ² British  

abbreviation

1. negative(ly)

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Etymology

Origin of neg

First recorded in 1870–75; shortening of negative ( def. )

Example Sentences

At STÄDA’s headquarters, the conference room — “imagination room” — is equipped with a “neg alarm” triggered any time someone says “no,” “but” or “can’t.”

From Washington Post

The banana plantation that gave Mr. Moïse his political nickname — Neg Bannann, or Banana Man — is just outside town.

From New York Times

A bartender once told a friend of mine that the French 75 is "the quintessential girl drink," and while I have good reason to believe this particular man meant it for it to land as a neg, I will suggest that if you have avoided this drink because some mixologist got his misogyny on it, you might consider rejecting his imposed narrative and embracing its feminine energy instead.

From Salon

Global stocks grind higher as investors bet on healthier 2021 despite neg handover from Wall St as Senate Republicans blocked attempt to increase payments to individuals to $2k from $600.

From The Guardian

Goldman went on to describe his “difficulty in getting a test despite the exact symptoms and a neg flu test” which he said “underscores how shockingly unprepared this administration is to deal with this pandemic.”

From Fox News