negotiate

American  

[ni-goh-shee-eyt] / nɪˈgoʊ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

negotiated, negotiating

1. to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.

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verb (used with object)

negotiated, negotiating

1. to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.

   to negotiate a loan.

2. to manage; transact; conduct.

   He negotiated an important business deal.

3. to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.

   to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.

4. to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.

   Synonyms:

   transmit, convey

negotiate British  

/ nɪˈɡəʊʃɪˌeɪt /

verb

1. to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)

2. (tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over

   to negotiate a mountain pass

3. (tr) finance

   1. to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received

   2. to sell (financial assets)

   3. 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” ( 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.

Example Sentences

Another complicating factor: Maui is a buyer’s market, so sellers have less room to negotiate with agents and buyers.

From MarketWatch • May 19, 2026

Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Meta have the scale to negotiate long-term power-purchase agreements directly with generators, build generation capacity behind the meter and lock in rates before the open market reprices.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

His absence is becoming a bigger problem for Tehran as it tries to negotiate an end to the war.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 10, 2026

After initially trying to negotiate with the settlers, Mohammed rushed up to the grave just as they were about to break through a slab which was all that remained between them and his father's remains.

From BBC • May 10, 2026

I’m trying to negotiate a 20 percent price reduction with the fitting room lady when—rotten luck!—Howard shows up and announces that there are no reductions and no employee discounts on clearanced items.

From "Nickel and Dimed: On (Not) Getting By in America" by Barbara Ehrenreich

Related Words

• agree
• arrange
• confer
• consult
• debate
• haggle
• handle
• mediate
• settle
• work out