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

The atom with the δ– designation is the more electronegative of the two.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Oxygen compounds with chlorine, bromine, and iodine are oxides because oxygen is the more electronegative element in these compounds.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

As the most electronegative element, fluorine also cannot be a central atom.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

The nonmetal chlorine is more electronegative than any other element except fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen.

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