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
- negotiator noun
- prenegotiate verb
- unnegotiated adjective
- well-negotiated adjective
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” ( neglect ( def. ) ) + ōtium “leisure”
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.
There will be "more uncertainty, more volatility for businesses to navigate, and more fraught trade deals for countries to negotiate," Lipsky added.
From Barron's
Also complicating the process are trade deals the U.S. has been negotiating with foreign countries based on the tariffs.
From Los Angeles Times
"It's important the UK government continues to negotiate on issues like steel and aluminium tariffs and reduces the scope of other possible duties."
From BBC
The market response to his April 2025 “liberation” tariffs was so negative that the President quickly withdrew them and negotiated lower tariffs as part of “trade deals” that may turn out to be partly illusory.
Representatives from the U.S. and Iran met this week to negotiate a possible deal External link over Iranian enrichment of uranium.
From Barron's
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.
