negotiate
Americanverb (used without object)
-
negotiates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
negotiated,
past participle, past
-
negotiating
present participle
verb (used with object)
-
negotiates,
present (3rd person singular)
-
negotiated,
past participle, past
-
negotiating
present participle
-
to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.
to negotiate a loan.
-
to manage; transact; conduct.
He negotiated an important business deal.
-
to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.
to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.
-
to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.
verb
-
to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)
-
(tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over
to negotiate a mountain pass
-
(tr) finance
-
to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received
-
to sell (financial assets)
-
to arrange for (a loan)
-
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
-
negotiatesimple
-
negotiatessimple
-
have negotiatedperfect
-
has negotiatedperfect
-
am negotiatingprogressive
-
are negotiatingprogressive
-
is negotiatingprogressive
-
have been negotiatingperfect progressive
-
has been negotiatingperfect progressive
Past
-
negotiatedsimple
-
had negotiatedperfect
-
was negotiatingprogressive
-
were negotiatingprogressive
-
had been negotiatingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing negotiate
Chains
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Vocabulary from the First Presidential Debate: September 26, 2016
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
100 SAT Words Beginning with "N"
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
See Examples For:
Only a rejuvenated Palestinian Authority can represent the Palestinian people on the world stage and negotiate a lasting peace with Israel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 14, 2026
He added that he didn't "negotiate ministerial posts before election results," meaning it would later be decided which positions would be given to the Sweden Democrats.
From Barron's ● Sep. 11, 2026
“As autonomous vehicles rapidly expand, having a union gives the drivers the power to negotiate for fair pay and meaningful say in how new technology shapes their work and our communities’ futures.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 11, 2026
“In many parts of the country, buyers may be able to negotiate on price, repairs or closing costs — and walk away if the numbers don’t work,” she added.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 10, 2026
Once Big Tony had his dog back, he figured Jenny Yen would be much more willing to negotiate.
From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein
Though it negotiates from a position of weakness, it frames survival itself as victory.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
As he negotiates for a new contract, if the 21-year-old England forward wants to stay at Northampton, it looks like they don't have the cap space for a £1m deal.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
She tours major international defence shows, negotiates with arms manufacturers and takes part in discussions on Europe's rearmament.
From Barron's ● Jul. 24, 2026
The actors union’s new agreement with the trade group that negotiates with Hollywood unions on behalf of the major studios will reportedly improve AI protections and boost the guild’s pension fund.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 3, 2026
He is behaving much as he does with his parents — he reasons, negotiates, and jokes with equal ease.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
Pfizer’s claim dates back to 2021 when the European Union negotiated a landmark agreement to secure hundreds of millions of Covid-19 vaccines on behalf of its 27 member states.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
That deal, to be negotiated over the coming months, aims to codify cooperation in a range of areas, including defense, critical minerals and energy.
From Barron's ● Sep. 10, 2026
While exact provisions are still being negotiated, the expectation is that the credit will be stackable with states’ incentives — similar to how Canada’s tax credit works.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
The seller wanted to get rid of the property quickly, so Charles and his real-estate agent negotiated the sale price down to $80,000.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Bernabe negotiated a tight U-turn, paused to let a two-ton flatbed, piled high with hay bales from Colorado, zoom down the highway, then crossed the road and pulled over slightly ahead of Amarante.
From "The Milagro Beanfield War" by John Nichols
But talks broke down in dramatic fashion, leaving both sides aggrieved and accusing the other of negotiating in bad faith.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 8, 2026
The researchers are now negotiating with the construction company for permission to return to the site and continue excavating.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 8, 2026
Witkoff, a business ally of US President Donald Trump, traveled to Russia and Ukraine over the weekend alongside negotiating partner Jared Kushner, who is Trump's son-in-law.
From Barron's ● Sep. 7, 2026
When Central Intelligence Agency chief John Ratcliffe paid a visit to Moscow last month, one of his messages for the Russian leader was: it is time to come back to the negotiating table.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 5, 2026
I climbed the stairs, negotiating around people and boxes, and when I got to my room, I found a neighbor already there.
From "The Light in Hidden Places" by Sharon Cameron
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.
