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

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

Eric Trump also suggested Swinney's original remarks could affect Scotland's ability to negotiate on tariffs - Donald Trump has vowed to tax all goods imported into the US if he returned to the White House.

From BBC

On Tuesday, foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari confirmed at a media briefing that “the leaders of Hamas that are within the negotiating team are now not in Doha”.

From BBC

Billionaire investor Scott Bessent has suggested using tariffs to negotiate with other countries, while Cantor Fitzgerald CEO Howard Lutnick has voiced support for broad tariffs, The Associated Press reported.

From Salon

Related Words

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