negative
gb/nˈɛɡɪtɪv/ us/nˈɛɡɪtɪv/
A2
Anglais
~ 2100
Sens
0 sens
adjective
B1
property
1
unpleasant or harmful
Showing something bad or not wanted.
Schéma d’usage :
a negative [attitude/result/effect]
Erreur fréquente :
Learners sometimes confuse 'negative' with 'neutral' when describing opinions; 'negative' means bad, not without opinion.
Synonymes
unfavorable (Slightly more formal; often used in reports or analysis.)
Antonymes
positive (Shows a good, desirable, or beneficial quality instead of a bad one.)
Collocations
negative attitude
|negative effect
|negative feedback
|negative result
|negative impact
Thèmes
emotions
|communication
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- The report had a negative impact on the company's reputation.
- She tends to focus on the negative aspects of every situation.
- Negative feedback can sometimes help you improve your work.
- Too much sugar has a negative effect on your health.
- His negative attitude made the meeting unpleasant.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The news was negative.
- He has a negative feeling about the plan.
- Negative comments can hurt.
- Smoking has a negative effect on health.
adjective
A2
property
2
showing absence or refusal
Showing 'no' or 'not true'.
Schéma d’usage :
a negative [answer/response]
Synonymes
denying (Focuses on refusing or saying no.)
Antonymes
affirmative (Means 'yes' or showing agreement.)
Collocations
negative answer
|negative response
|negative reply
Thèmes
communication
|core_vocabulary
Exemples
- His answer to the proposal was negative.
- The test result came back negative for the virus.
- She gave a negative reply to the invitation.
Exemples pédagogiques
- He gave a negative answer.
- The result was negative.
- Her reply was negative.
adjective
technical
B1
property
3
less than zero in value
Less than zero.
Schéma d’usage :
a negative [number/temperature/balance]
Synonymes
minus (Informal term for a number below zero.)
Antonymes
positive (A number greater than zero.)
Collocations
negative number
|negative temperature
|negative balance
Thèmes
science
|mathematics
|finance
Exemples
- The temperature dropped to negative five degrees Celsius.
- Negative numbers are used to represent debt.
- The account has a negative balance.
Exemples pédagogiques
- It is a negative number.
- The temperature is negative five.
- My bank account is negative.
Nom
technical
B2
entity
4
photographic image with reversed tones
A photo on film with light and dark switched.
Synonymes
film strip (Refers to the material but not necessarily the reversed image.)
Antonymes
print (The positive image made from a negative.)
Collocations
film negative
|develop a negative
Thèmes
photography
|technology
|arts_entertainment
Exemples
- She found an old film negative in the drawer.
- The photographer developed the negatives in his darkroom.
- Negatives must be handled carefully to avoid scratches.
Exemples pédagogiques
- This is a film negative.
- He looks at the old negatives.
- They make prints from negatives.
Nom
technical
B1
entity
5
test result showing absence of something
A test result that shows nothing is found.
Synonymes
clear result (Informal way to say the test found nothing wrong.)
Antonymes
positive result (Indicates the condition or substance is present.)
Collocations
test came back negative
|receive a negative result
Thèmes
healthcare
|health
|science
Exemples
- The blood test was negative for infection.
- All COVID-19 tests returned negative results.
- She was relieved when her pregnancy test was negative.
Exemples pédagogiques
- The test was negative.
- I got a negative result.
- Her test came back negative.
Grammaire
Forme canonique
negative
API
GB/nˈɛɡɪtɪv/
US/nˈɛɡɪtɪv/
Syllabes et accentuation
neg - at - ive (3 syllabes)
Stress on 1st syllable (neg)
Formes du mot
Adjective
- Base: negative
Noun
- Base: negative
- Plural: negatives
Famille de mots
Forms
negatives
noun
Core family
negatively
adverb B1
negativity
noun
Related words
negate
verb
negation
noun
Negative and opposite forms
positive
adjective B1
Expressions
come back negative
1/kˈʌm bˈæk nˈɛɡɪtɪv/
fixed phrase
test shows nothing found
When a test result shows there is nothing found (like no disease).
Exemples
- The lab results came back negative.
- Luckily, the biopsy came back negative.
in a negative light
1/ˈɪn ə nˈɛɡɪtɪv lˈaɪt/
fixed phrase
seen as bad by others
Seen in a way that makes someone or something look bad.
Exemples
- The scandal put the company in a negative light.
- Her comments painted him in a negative light.
test negative for [something]
1/tˈɛst nˈɛɡɪtɪv fɚ sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
get a test result showing absence
To get a test result that shows you do not have something (like a disease).
Exemples
- He tested negative for COVID-19 before traveling.
- All players tested negative for banned substances.