electronegative

American  

[ih-lek-troh-neg-uh-tiv] / ɪˌlɛk troʊˈnɛg ə tɪv /

adjective

Physical Chemistry.

1. containing negative electricity; tending to migrate to the positive pole in electrolysis.

2. assuming negative potential when in contact with a dissimilar substance.

3. nonmetallic.

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electronegative British  

/ ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈnɛɡətɪv /

adjective

1. having a negative electric charge

2. (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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electronegative Scientific  

/ ĭ-lĕk′trō-nĕg′ə-tĭv /

1. Tending to attract electrons and to form a negative ion. Nonmetals are generally electronegative.

2. Having a negative electric charge.

3. Capable of acting as a negative electrode.

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Other Word Forms

• electronegativity
  noun

Etymology

Origin of electronegative

First recorded in 1800–10; electro- + negative

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electronegative

Electrons in a polar covalent bond are shifted toward the more electronegative atom; thus, the more electronegative atom is the one with the partial negative charge.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

A small plus sign is drawn on the less electronegative end to indicate the partially positive end of the bond.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

Although the magnitude of the bond moment will not change based on whether B is the most electronegative or the least, the direction of the bond moment will.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

When we must choose among several Lewis structures with similar distributions of formal charges, the structure with the negative formal charges on the more electronegative atoms is preferable.

From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019

If it has a greater affinity for oxygen than copper has, then the zinc must be either electropositive or electronegative to copper.

From Popular Science Monthly Oct, Nov, Dec, 1915 — Volume 86 by Anonymous