negotiate

[ni-goh-shee-eyt]

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.

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

/ 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)

Other Word Forms

• negotiator noun
• prenegotiate verb
• unnegotiated adjective
• well-negotiated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of negotiate¹

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”

Word History and Origins

Origin of negotiate¹

C16: from Latin negōtiārī to do business, from negōtium business, from nec not + ōtium leisure

Example Sentences

He has just negotiated his debt to $15,000 from $25,000, a wonderful and, frankly, generous gesture by the credit-card company so he does not declare bankruptcy and write off the debt.

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He added that the deal, which does not include negotiating on pay rises, remained on the table.

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“The leaders of the American resistance were not utopian visionaries but, rather, an assemblage of pragmatic statesmen accustomed to negotiating the space between ideals and realities,” Mr. Ellis writes.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Kiley is one of the few Republicans who has called on Johnson to negotiate with Democrats on healthcare.

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The WBA order means both sides have 30 days to negotiate a deal.

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Related Words

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