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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.

Nearby words

  1. electron volt,
  2. electron-neutrino,
  3. electron-ray tube,
  4. electron-volt,
  5. electronarcosis,
  6. electronegativity,
  7. electroneurography,
  8. electroneuromyography,
  9. electroneutral,
  10. electronic

Origin of electronegative

First recorded in 1800–10; electro- + negative
Related formse·lec·tro·neg·a·tiv·i·ty, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
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
Medicine 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.
Science 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.