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

On the other hand, fluorine compounds with oxygen are fluorides because fluorine is the more electronegative element.

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

Metals tend to be less electronegative elements, and the group 1 metals have the lowest electronegativities.

From Textbooks • Feb. 14, 2019

Remember that an element exhibits a positive oxidation state when combined with a more electronegative element and that it exhibits a negative oxidation state when combined with a less electronegative element.

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