negotiate
Americanverb (used without object)
verb (used with object)
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to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.
to negotiate a loan.
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to manage; transact; conduct.
He negotiated an important business deal.
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to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.
to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.
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to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.
verb
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to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)
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(tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over
to negotiate a mountain pass
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(tr) finance
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to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received
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to sell (financial assets)
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to arrange for (a loan)
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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negotiatesimple
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negotiatessimple
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have negotiatedperfect
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has negotiatedperfect
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am negotiatingprogressive
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are negotiatingprogressive
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is negotiatingprogressive
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have been negotiatingperfect progressive
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has been negotiatingperfect progressive
Past
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negotiatedsimple
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had negotiatedperfect
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was negotiatingprogressive
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were negotiatingprogressive
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had been negotiatingperfect progressive
Future
Etymology
Origin of negotiate
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Latin negōtiātus “traded,” past participle of negōtiārī “to do business, trade,” verb derivative of negōtium “business,” from nec, neg- “not” ( cf. neglect ( def. )) + ōtium “leisure”
Explanation
To negotiate is to try to work out an agreement between parties that each want something out of the deal. You might negotiate with your mom — offering to do more chores for a raise in your allowance. Good luck. Negotiation is all about give and take. Governments are always negotiating with unions, trying to define the terms of new contracts. The government might offer the teachers union a raise, if they agree to work 200 days a year instead of 180. The verb negotiate can also mean to successfully pass through or travel along. You may have to negotiate a hazardous road, or a tricky path through sticker bushes.
Vocabulary lists containing negotiate
Chains
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Vocabulary from the First Presidential Debate: September 26, 2016
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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.
See Examples For:
"We never spoke about money so as an adult I was left without any knowledge of things like what's a good salary or how to negotiate my pay," he says.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
I should know because I helped negotiate it.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 23, 2026
Here’s how to arm yourself with the tools you need to negotiate your starting pay like a pro.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
So far, it’s standing firm—while also leaving room to negotiate.
From Slate ● Jul. 21, 2026
It had taken Seabiscuit 1:42 to negotiate eight furlongs on the training track, and that was under strong urging.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
The actors union’s new agreement with the trade group that negotiates with Hollywood unions on behalf of the major studios will reportedly improve AI protections and boost the guild’s pension fund.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2026
The European Commission - the bloc's executive arm that negotiates trade deals on behalf of EU member states, has also drawn criticism.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
The Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists has identified similar issues as it negotiates a new contract for actors.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 9, 2026
Meanwhile: What helps make “Rooster” so engaging, even as it negotiates familiar territory and Mr. Carell reprises his CV?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 5, 2026
While other children of their age learned other things, Estha and Rahel learned how history negotiates its terms and collects its dues from those who break its laws.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
Kelmar also suggested making sure that the healthcare provider will zero out your balance after receiving a negotiated amount.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
US President Donald Trump on Monday voiced optimism at the prospects for a negotiated peace deal with Iran, as the two sides held their fire for a third consecutive day.
From Barron's ● Jul. 27, 2026
The agreement between the two London clubs has been negotiated at ownership level.
From BBC ● Jul. 24, 2026
What happens after 2028 remains to be negotiated among the states.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 23, 2026
Sadie had negotiated for her cornbread debut with the legendary grandparents who made the big decisions at Sandy June’s.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
“The key question is at what price level pressure begins to build on the Trump administration to return to the negotiating table,” analysts at ING said.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 24, 2026
Going to the movies should not require hours of research to choose a theater, negotiating with a scalper or finding AI-aided plots to game the system.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 24, 2026
They expected that their vastly superior, Western-supplied air force would soon be able to bomb the Houthis to the negotiating table and that the rebels would quickly sue for peace.
From BBC ● Jul. 23, 2026
But many job candidates are leaving money on the table, with only 45% of workers negotiating their starting salary, while 55% don’t try, according to Resume Genius.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 22, 2026
Having passed the dude ranch softball field, Jerry G. was just negotiating the curve around Ray Gusdorf s small spread when he noticed a freshly painted and inscribed wooden cross beside the road.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
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.
