negotiable
Americanadjective
-
capable of being negotiated.
a negotiable salary demand.
-
(of bills, securities, etc.) transferable by delivery, with or without endorsement, according to the circumstances, the title passing to the transferee.
noun
adjective
-
able to be negotiated
-
(of a bill of exchange, promissory note, etc) legally transferable in title from one party to another
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of negotiable
First recorded in 1750–60; negoti(ate) + -able
Explanation
If you're told that a price is negotiable, that means you can talk it over until you reach an agreement. So don't start with your highest offer. Negotiable can also mean that a road or path can be used. Since the avalanche, you've found that many of the local roads are no longer negotiable. If you can pass on a possession to someone else, making them the owner, then it's said to be negotiable. The "t" in negotiable is pronounced "sh."
Vocabulary lists containing negotiable
Power Suffix: -able
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Personal Finance and Financial Literacy - Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
As President Trump prepares for his summit with Xi Jinping, Taiwan is often described as one more negotiable item in a crowded U.S.-China agenda that also includes tariffs, rare earths, Iran, fentanyl and export controls.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 13, 2026
“Guardrails are something that are negotiable based on what they are with all the companies, and they have different views on that,” he told CNBC.
From Los Angeles Times • May 1, 2026
"The Messi deal is intriguing because it includes massive links with brands like Adidas and Apple - it's far more complex than just football so everything is negotiable," says Maguire.
From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026
He also said Iran's missile programme was "never negotiable" because it relates to a "defence issue".
From Barron's • Feb. 7, 2026
But now, I guess everything having to do with me is negotiable.
From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz
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.
