negotiate

[ni-goh-shee-eyt]

verb (used without object)

negotiated, negotiating 

1. to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.

verb (used with object)

negotiated, negotiating 

1. to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.

   to negotiate a loan.

2. to manage; transact; conduct.

   He negotiated an important business deal.

3. to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.

   to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.

4. to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.

   Synonyms: transmit, convey

negotiate

/ nɪˈɡəʊʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)

2. (tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over

   to negotiate a mountain pass

3. (tr) finance

   1. to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received

   2. to sell (financial assets)

   3. to arrange for (a loan)

Other Word Forms

• negotiator noun
• prenegotiate verb
• unnegotiated adjective
• well-negotiated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of negotiate¹

First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin negōtiātus “traded,” past participle of negōtiārī “to do business, trade,” verb derivative of negōtium “business,” from nec, neg- “not” ( neglect ( def. ) ) + ōtium “leisure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of negotiate¹

C16: from Latin negōtiārī to do business, from negōtium business, from nec not + ōtium leisure

Example Sentences

Republican leaders are refusing to negotiate until a short-term funding bill to reopen the government is passed, while Democrats say they won’t agree without guarantees on extending health insurance subsidies.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Netanyahu appointed him in February to lead the Israeli negotiating team for Gaza talks.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

But she warned the more time elapsed, "the more challenging it will be to negotiate a deal down the road and the greater the risk of conflict re-erupting".

Read more on Barron's

Dr. Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, jumped in, saying those drugs’ costs hadn’t yet been negotiated.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

One of the main drivers for its latest proposed sanctions on Russia - the 19th package so far - is to bring the Russians to the negotiating table, it says.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• agree 
• arrange 
• confer 
• consult 
• debate 
• haggle 
• handle 
• mediate 
• settle 
• work out