electronegative
Americanadjective
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containing negative electricity; tending to migrate to the positive pole in electrolysis.
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assuming negative potential when in contact with a dissimilar substance.
adjective
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having a negative electric charge
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(of an atom, group, molecule, etc) tending to gain or attract electrons and form negative ions or polarized bonds Compare electropositive
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Tending to attract electrons and to form a negative ion. Nonmetals are generally electronegative.
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Having a negative electric charge.
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Capable of acting as a negative electrode.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of electronegative
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their research examined how electronegative elements affect acidity and also produced results that did not fit conventional textbook descriptions.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
The atom with the δ– designation is the more electronegative of the two.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
As sulfur is more electronegative than selenium, H2SO4 is the stronger acid.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
Silicon compounds of the general formula SiX4, where X is a highly electronegative group, can act as Lewis acids to form six-coordinate silicon.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
If zinc has an affinity for oxygen, it must be because the zinc is either electropositive or electronegative to oxygen.
From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous
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