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.

---

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

---

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.

---

Other Word Forms

• electronegativity
  noun

---

Etymology

Origin of electronegative

First recorded in 1800–10; electro- + negative

---

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

electronegative

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

We know from our previous discussion that the less electronegative atom typically occupies the central position, but formal charges allow us to understand why this occurs.

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

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

Non-metals are electronegative, and with H, or with H and O, form acids.

From An Introduction to Chemical Science by Rufus Phillips Williams

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---