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• false-negative
  false-negative

  noun
• false negative
  false negative

  noun

  a result in a medical test that wrongly indicates the absence of the condition being tested for

false-negative

American  

[fawls-neg-uh-tiv] / ˈfɔlsˈnɛg ə tɪv /

noun

1. Medicine/Medical.

   1. a test result that is incorrect because the test failed to recognize an existing condition or finding.

   2. a person who receives this test result.

2. 1. any screening test result that failed to detect a person or thing being sought.

      Let's hope the new body scanner doesn't give us any false-negatives.

   2. a person or thing that is missed by such a test.

      Retrain your spam filter if you’re getting too many false-negatives in your inbox.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or being a false-negative.

false negative British  

noun

1. a result in a medical test that wrongly indicates the absence of the condition being tested for

2. a person from whom such a result is obtained

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Etymology

Origin of false-negative

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

“As therapists, we challenge negative self-talk,” Alvord says.

From Washington Post • Aug. 10, 2018

For Mr. Del Toro, that has sometimes pit his desire to excel as an actor against a competing impulse to challenge negative stereotypes, a predicament faced by many actors of color.

From New York Times • Jun. 27, 2018

Women still struggle to take political office and to challenge negative societal norms and traditions.

From Time • Nov. 16, 2016

Children in early years will be taught about learning right from wrong, learning to take turns and share, and to challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes.

From BBC • Aug. 8, 2014

In 2007 it also emerged he spent more than £20,000 of taxpayers' money on lawyers to challenge negative press stories about him.

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2010