Negotiate — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb /ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌāt/ ne·go·ti·ate

Meaning & Definition of Negotiate

Negotiate (verb)

  1. to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter
  2. to deal with (some matter or affair that requires ability for its successful handling), manage
  3. to arrange for or bring about through conference, discussion, and compromise

Negotiate (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to bring about through discussion and compromise

    "wanted to negotiate a higher salary before she accepted the job offer"

  2. to deal with (something) usually skillfully or efficiently

    "she's good at negotiating personality conflicts between coworkers"

  3. to plan out usually with subtle skill or care

    "the prisoners negotiated their escape by using Morse code to tap messages to each other through the walls"

  4. to talk over or dispute the terms of a purchase

    "told them I'd take $8,000 for the car and wasn't in the mood to negotiate"

  5. to carry through (as a process) to completion

    "scores of experiments later, the chemists managed to negotiate the development of a more durable polymer"

Related Entry: Negotiate (about) (verb)

Negotiate (about) is a different word from Negotiate. The synonyms below are for negotiate (about), not for negotiate.

  1. as in exchange (for), deal (for)

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Negotiate

The most common words with a similar meaning to Negotiate:

Near Antonyms of Negotiate

Word Forms of Negotiate

Inflections: negotiated, negotiating

Derived words: negotiator (noun), negotiatory (adjective)

Origin & Etymology of Negotiate

borrowed from Latin negōtiātus, past participle of negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal," derivative of negōtium "work, business, difficulty, annoyance," from nec "not" + ōtium "free time, leisure, tranquility," of obscure origin neglect:1

First known use: circa 1598i

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for Negotiate

Frequently Asked Questions about Negotiate

What does "Negotiate" mean?

"Negotiate" means to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter. As a verb, it is defined as: to confer with another so as to arrive at the settlement of some matter. It has 5 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Negotiate"?

Other words for "Negotiate" include arrange, bargain, concert, conclude, address, contend (with), cope (with) and field. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Negotiate" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Negotiate"?

There are 130 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Negotiate". Common alternatives include arrange, bargain, concert, conclude, address, contend (with), cope (with), field, grapple (with) and hack.

How do you use "Negotiate" in a sentence?

Examples of "Negotiate" in a sentence: "wanted to negotiate a higher salary before she accepted the job offer"; "she's good at negotiating personality conflicts between coworkers"; "the prisoners negotiated their escape by using Morse code to tap messages to each other through the walls".

Is "Negotiate" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Negotiate" is a verb.

Is "Negotiate" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As a B2-level word, "Negotiate" is typical of Cambridge B2 First (FCE), IELTS band 5.5–6.5, TOEFL iBT 72–94, PTE Academic 59–75, TOEIC Listening & Reading 785+.

How do you pronounce "Negotiate"?

"Negotiate" is pronounced /ni-ˈgō-shē-ˌāt/ and divided into syllables as ne·go·ti·ate.

What is the origin of the word "Negotiate"?

"Negotiate" comes from borrowed from Latin negōtiātus, past participle of negōtiārī "to do business, trade, deal," derivative of negōtium "work, business, difficulty, annoyance," from nec "not" + ōtium "free time, leisure, tranquility," of obscure origin neglect:1. First known use: circa 1598i.