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

Mortgage rates are still below year-ago levels, and prices are flat or falling in many parts of the U.S., giving buyers more leverage to negotiate.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 11, 2026

Since then, the Department of Justice has opened a probe into whether the NFL should continue to enjoy antitrust protections that have allowed it to collectively negotiate TV rights deals for all of its teams.

From MarketWatch • May 11, 2026

Those matches are against already-relegated Burnley before finishing the season against Crystal Palace, who have a Europa Conference League final to negotiate.

From BBC • May 9, 2026

I called him my “uncle,” and by custom he was allowed to negotiate with any man who wanted to marry me, asking for cows in exchange for his consent.

From "Lost Boy, Lost Girl" by John Bul Dau

Related Words

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