# negativity

/ˌnɛɡəˈtɪvəti/ (US) · /nˌɛɡɐtˈɪvɪti/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/negativity
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. pessimistic attitude

noun · CEFR B2

a tendency to focus on the bad side of things or to expect the worst.

For teachers: a pessimistic or contrarian disposition characterized by a focus on unfavorable aspects of a situation.

- His constant negativity made it difficult for the team to stay motivated.
- The manager addressed the pervasive negativity in the office, noting that a cynical outlook was hindering the department's creative output.

### 2. negative sentiment

noun · CEFR B2

unpleasant or critical comments and feelings.

For teachers: the expression of criticism, hostility, or unfavorable opinions.

- There was a lot of negativity on social media after the movie was released.
- Despite the initial negativity from local residents, the new urban development project eventually gained widespread community support.

### 3. electrical charge

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

the state of having a negative electrical charge.

For teachers: the physical property of having a negative charge or being electronegative.

- The negativity of the electrons causes them to be attracted to the positive terminal.
- The experiment measured the relative negativity of the particles as they passed through the electromagnetic field.

## Examples

- I try to avoid negativity because it ruins my mood.
- The manager addressed the growing negativity in the office by encouraging more open and positive communication during meetings.
- While critical thinking is essential for academic rigor, constant negativity can stifle the creative process and prevent the exploration of unconventional hypotheses.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.