negotiate
Americanverb (used without object)
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negotiates,
present (3rd person singular)
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negotiated,
past participle, past
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negotiating
present participle
verb (used with object)
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negotiates,
present (3rd person singular)
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negotiated,
past participle, past
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negotiating
present participle
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to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms.
to negotiate a loan.
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to manage; transact; conduct.
He negotiated an important business deal.
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to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner.
to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.
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to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.
verb
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to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)
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(tr) to succeed in passing through, around, or over
to negotiate a mountain pass
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(tr) finance
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to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received
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to sell (financial assets)
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to arrange for (a loan)
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Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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negotiatesimple
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negotiatessimple
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have negotiatedperfect
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has negotiatedperfect
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am negotiatingprogressive
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are negotiatingprogressive
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is negotiatingprogressive
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have been negotiatingperfect progressive
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has been negotiatingperfect progressive
Past
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negotiatedsimple
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had negotiatedperfect
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was negotiatingprogressive
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were negotiatingprogressive
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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
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Vocabulary from the First Presidential Debate: September 26, 2016
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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:
I was able to scale successful businesses as a teenager, negotiate my way through free college, and build a personal net worth of over $20 million all before turning 23.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026
In June, the U.S. and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding that called for a 60-day end of hostilities to allow time to negotiate an end to the conflict.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 18, 2026
Last week, Ellison threatened to move the company out of California if the state's attorney general, Rob Bonta, did not negotiate on his lawsuit.
From Barron's ● Aug. 17, 2026
By July 30, when the fund was forced to negotiate a bailout deal with Citadel, shares in the two semiconductor plays had plunged — Sandisk had collapsed 43% and Micron 24%.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
And he refused to use him to negotiate with the colonists until he had another, independent means of communication with them.
From "1491" by Charles C. Mann
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
Among his secrets: He pays a monthly membership fee for constant access to a primary-care doctor, scores cheap prescriptions by using discounts and manufacturers’ coupons, and negotiates with hospitals and doctors’ offices for deals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2026
Michel negotiates a supply price with F2 and F3's chassis and engine partners, and says he demands the best offer.
From BBC ● Apr. 16, 2026
For a flat fee of $1,000, he negotiates on a buyer’s behalf.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 14, 2026
While other children of their age learned other things, Estha and Rahel learned how history negotiates its terms and collects its dues from those who break its laws.
From "The God of Small Things" by Arundhati Roy
They also complained that the settlement was negotiated in secret among the park service, environmental groups and ranch families.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 16, 2026
But given Paramount’s rough wooing, which upset a previously negotiated sale to Netflix, might not Warner shareholders argue to a court that $7 billion no longer covers the damage to their business?
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
This decision to allow increased charges comes on top of already-agreed bill rises that were negotiated with the water companies in 2024.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
But the deal, which opponents say was negotiated behind closed doors with local officials, gives the firm until July 2027 to complete the work.
From Barron's ● Aug. 11, 2026
“Then you should have negotiated back in that cell. I’m not a bank, Brekker. And even if I were, given your current situation, I’d say you’re a pretty poor credit risk.”
From "Six of Crows" by Leigh Bardugo
The US and Oman have each been negotiating separately with the Iranian government to reopen the key passage which is vital for global oil supply and other trade.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
“It’s protecting our water, our EMS, our roads. Also protecting our county by making sure that our county has adequate legal representation when sitting across the table and negotiating with companies like SpaceX.”
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 17, 2026
The two sides have since been negotiating a potentially higher price, and a deal could come together in the coming weeks.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026
The city’s negotiating team said L.A.’s political leaders committed the city roughly a decade ago to serve as a financial backstop for the Games, as part of the contract that made L.A. the host city.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 13, 2026
As soon as we’re within shouting distance, three or four bus hawkers immediately surround Baba, negotiating the best price to Adana.
From "Without Refuge" by Jane Mitchell
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.
