negotiate

American  

[ni-goh-shee-eyt] / nɪˈgoʊ ʃiˌeɪt /

verb (used without object)

negotiated, negotiating

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)

negotiated, negotiating

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

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

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

In one slide, the league argued that having 32 teams negotiate their own rights deals individually would result in further viewer confusion and higher costs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 22, 2026

"What we want is multilateralism and a great deal of peace so we can negotiate," he added.

From Barron's • Apr. 21, 2026

With current majority owner Sullivan and long-time business partner David Gold, who died in January 2023, Brady helped negotiate a hugely favourable deal to move into the Olympic Stadium in 2016.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

“We will not negotiate through the press, and anything not announced by President Trump or the White House should be considered speculation.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Many of them spoke Spanish, which made it easy for Mami to negotiate the price of everything.

From "When I Was Puerto Rican" by Esmeralda Santiago

Related Words

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