Meaning & use
negotiate
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Meanings
verbtransitive or intransitive
To discuss something with others in order to reach an agreement.
Grammar: Can be used with an object (negotiate a deal) or without (we negotiated for hours). Often followed by 'with' for the other party.
Patterns
- negotiate with someone
- negotiate something
- negotiate for something
- negotiate about something
The two sides are negotiating a peace agreement.
She negotiated with the landlord for a lower rent.
We need to negotiate the terms of the contract.
verbtransitive
To successfully travel through, around, or over a difficult route or obstacle.
Grammar: Takes an object: negotiate a bend, negotiate the stairs.
Patterns
- negotiate a bend
- negotiate an obstacle
- negotiate a path
The driver carefully negotiated the sharp bend.
The team negotiated the steep mountain path.
Word forms
| third person singular | negotiates |
|---|---|
| past tense | negotiated |
| past participle | negotiated |
| present participle | negotiating |
Common combinations
- negotiate a deal
- The companies negotiated a deal to share the technology.
- negotiate with
- The union is negotiating with management over pay.
- negotiate a settlement
- The lawyers negotiated a settlement out of court.
- negotiate a bend
- The bus slowly negotiated the narrow bend.
- negotiate a price
- We negotiated a price for the car.
Synonyms and how they differ
- bargain
- Bargain often focuses on haggling over price or terms; negotiate is broader and can include formal discussions.
- mediate
- Mediate means to help two sides reach an agreement as a neutral third party; negotiate means to take part in the discussion yourself.
- broker
- Broker means to arrange an agreement, often as an intermediary; negotiate is more direct involvement.
Opposites
Word family
- negotiation noun
- The process of discussing to reach an agreement.
- negotiator noun
- A person who negotiates.
- negotiable adjective
- Open to discussion or able to be transferred.
Commonly confused: negotiate or negociate?
negotiate vs negociate
This is a misspelling; the correct spelling is 'negotiate'.
Practice
The union decided to ______ with the company for better working conditions.
Choose one answer.
Negotiate is the verb that fits after 'to'. Negotiation is a noun, negotiator is a person, and negotiable is an adjective, so none of them can follow 'to' in this sentence.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “negotiate”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.