electronegative
Americanadjective
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containing negative electricity; tending to migrate to the positive pole in electrolysis.
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assuming negative potential when in contact with a dissimilar substance.
adjective
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having a negative electric charge
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(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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Tending to attract electrons and to form a negative ion. Nonmetals are generally electronegative.
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Having a negative electric charge.
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Capable of acting as a negative electrode.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of electronegative
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Their research examined how electronegative elements affect acidity and also produced results that did not fit conventional textbook descriptions.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 14, 2026
Dipole vectors are shown as arrows pointing along the bond from the less electronegative atom toward the more electronegative atom.
From Textbooks ● Feb. 14, 2019
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
HClO3 is stronger than HBrO3; Cl is more electronegative than Br.
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
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
