negotiate

[ ni-goh-shee-eyt ]

verb (used without object)

, ne·go·ti·at·ed, ne·go·ti·at·ing.

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.

verb (used with object)

, ne·go·ti·at·ed, ne·go·ti·at·ing.

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

/ 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)

Derived Forms

• neˈgotiˌator, noun

Other Words From

• ne·goti·ator noun
• prene·goti·ate verb prenegotiated prenegotiating
• unne·goti·ated adjective
• well-ne·goti·ated adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of negotiate¹

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” ( neglect ( def ) ) + ōtium “leisure”

Word History and Origins

Origin of negotiate¹

C16: from Latin negōtiārī to do business, from negōtium business, from nec not + ōtium leisure

Example Sentences

Bangladesh, Nepal and Sri Lanka are all negotiating with the company and often the Indian government at the same time.

From New York Times

Among the tributes paid to him on Thursday was one from Al Gore, the American former vice president, who praised Mr. Prescott’s work in helping to negotiate the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on climate change.

From New York Times

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa said the mine was a "crime scene", but police were negotiating with the miners to end the stand-off, rather than going down to arrest them.

From BBC

After meeting Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, who has Hezbollah’s support to negotiate, Hochstein said he would go to Israel “to try to bring this to a close if we can”.

From BBC

Last year only 36% of those negotiating at the conference were women, according to the UN.

From BBC

Related Words

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