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

The calculations over when and how much to negotiate have become more complicated now that artificial intelligence and social media can easily amplify such allegations.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 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

Parts of the novel are set in Ekwe’s village, where his farming family struggles to negotiate threats to its livelihood.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 8, 2026

"I think the most important thing is to have proper communication and discussions with the governing bodies so we have some space to talk and maybe negotiate," the Wimbledon champion said.

From BBC • May 5, 2026

Many of them spoke Spanish, which made it easy for Mami to negotiate the price of everything.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

Related Words

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