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electronegative

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

adjective Physical Chemistry.

containing negative electricity; tending to migrate to the positive pole in electrolysis.
assuming negative potential when in contact with a dissimilar substance.
nonmetallic.

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Origin of electronegative

First recorded in 1800–10; electro- + negative

OTHER WORDS FROM electronegative

e·lec·tro·neg·a·tiv·i·ty, noun

Words nearby electronegative

electronarcosis, electron camera, electron capture, electron carrier, electron diffraction, electronegative, electronegativity, electroneurography, electroneuromyography, electroneutral, electron gun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

British Dictionary definitions for electronegative

electronegative
/ (ɪˌlɛktrəʊˈnɛɡətɪv) /

adjective

having a negative electric charge
(of an atom, group, molecule, etc) tending to gain or attract electrons and form negative ions or polarized bondsCompare electropositive
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Medical definitions for electronegative

electronegative
[ ĭ-lĕk′trō-nĕg′ə-tĭv ]

adj.

Having a negative electric charge.
Tending to attract electrons to form a chemical bond.
Capable of acting as a negative electrode.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Scientific definitions for electronegative

electronegative
[ ĭ-lĕk′trō-nĕg′ə-tĭv ]

Tending to attract electrons and to form a negative ion. Nonmetals are generally electronegative.
Having a negative electric charge.
Capable of acting as a negative electrode.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.