negotiate
gb/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt/ us/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt/
B1
English
~ 2700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
B1
action
1
Discuss to reach agreement
To talk with someone to decide on something both sides accept.
Usage pattern:
to negotiate [something] with [someone]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'negotiate' with 'discuss'; 'discuss' is more general, while 'negotiate' specifically aims at reaching an agreement.
Synonyms
bargain (Often used for less formal or smaller-scale discussions, especially about price.)
|
mediate (Involves helping two other parties reach an agreement rather than being one of the parties.)
Antonyms
refuse (Indicates not entering into any discussion or agreement process.)
Collocations
negotiate a deal
|negotiate terms
|negotiate a contract
|negotiate a settlement
|negotiate with management
Themes
business
|conflict
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The two companies will negotiate the terms of the merger next week.
- We need to negotiate a better price before signing the contract.
- The union will negotiate with the employer over wages and benefits.
- He was asked to negotiate a peace agreement between the two sides.
Learner examples
- We will negotiate a new plan.
- They want to negotiate with us.
- I need to negotiate the price.
- She will negotiate the contract.
Verb
B2
action
2
Manage a challenge successfully
To move through or over something hard or dangerous, or deal with a problem well.
Usage pattern:
to negotiate [an obstacle/a turn/a crisis]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes only know 'negotiate' in the business sense and may not recognize this physical or situational meaning.
Synonyms
navigate (Focuses more on finding a way through something, often physically or metaphorically.)
|
overcome (Focuses on completely defeating a difficulty rather than just getting through it.)
Antonyms
fail (Indicates not being able to get through or manage the difficulty.)
Collocations
negotiate a corner
|negotiate a bend
|negotiate rough terrain
Themes
daily life
|travel
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The driver skillfully negotiated the sharp bend in the road.
- She negotiated her way through the busy market.
- They had to negotiate several legal hurdles before opening the business.
Learner examples
- He negotiated the turn safely.
- We negotiated the hill slowly.
- She negotiated the busy street.
- They negotiated the problem well.
Grammar
Dictionary form
negotiate
IPA
GB/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt/
US/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt/
Syllables & stress
ne - go - ti - ate (4 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (go)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: negotiate
- 3rd Person Singular: negotiates
- Present Participle: negotiating
- Past: negotiated
Word family
Forms
negotiates
verb
negotiating
verb
negotiated
verb
Core family
Related words
renegotiate
verb
renegotiation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
non-negotiable
adjective
Expressions
negotiate a contract
1/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt ə kˈɑntɹˌækt/
fixed phrase
Discuss legal contract details
To talk and agree on what will be in a legal contract.
Examples
- Our lawyers will negotiate the contract next week.
- They negotiated a contract that included better benefits.
negotiate a deal
1/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt ə dˈil/
fixed phrase
Discuss and agree on a deal
To talk and agree on the details of a business arrangement.
Examples
- They spent hours negotiating a deal with the supplier.
- The two leaders negotiated a deal to reduce tariffs.
negotiate a settlement
1/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt ə sˈɛtəlmənt/
fixed phrase
Discuss dispute settlement details
To talk and agree on how to end a legal or money problem without going to court.
Examples
- The company negotiated a settlement with the former employee.
- They negotiated a settlement to avoid a long trial.
negotiate terms
1/nɪɡˈoʊʃiˌeɪt tˈɚmz/
fixed phrase
Discuss agreement details
To talk about and decide on the details of an agreement.
Examples
- We need to negotiate terms before signing anything.
- They negotiated terms that were fair for both sides.