negotiate

American  

[ni-goh-shee-eyt] / nɪˈgoʊ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

negotiates, present (3rd person singular) negotiated, past participle, past negotiating present participle

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)

negotiates, present (3rd person singular) negotiated, past participle, past negotiating present participle

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

Derived Forms

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

Inflected Forms

Participles

• negotiating
  present
• negotiated
  past

Conjugated Forms

Present

• negotiate
  simple
• negotiates
  simple
• have negotiated
  perfect
• has negotiated
  perfect
• am negotiating
  progressive
• are negotiating
  progressive
• is negotiating
  progressive
• have been negotiating
  perfect progressive
• has been negotiating
  perfect progressive

Past

• negotiated
  simple
• had negotiated
  perfect
• was negotiating
  progressive
• were negotiating
  progressive
• had been negotiating
  perfect progressive

Future

• will negotiate
  simple
• will have negotiated
  perfect
• will be negotiating
  progressive
• will have been negotiating
  perfect progressive

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

"Those who negotiate for their survival are not worthy," he added.

From Barron's • Jun. 24, 2026

Understand that we never negotiate under threats or pressure,’” he said in an interview with Iranian state television Tuesday.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 24, 2026

Under that memo, Washington and Tehran have 60 days to negotiate a broader agreement on ending Iran's nuclear programme.

From BBC • Jun. 23, 2026

The 58-year-old had signaled he was ready to negotiate and, earlier this week, agreed to a deal with one of the country's major unions to end the crisis.

From Barron's • Jun. 20, 2026

On March 22, 1621, an official Native American delegation walked through what is now southern New England to negotiate with a group of foreigners who had taken over a recently deserted Indian settlement.

From "1491" by Charles C. Mann

Related Words

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