ENGLISH
REFERENCE

negotiate

v.
US //nəˈɡoʊʃiˌeɪt// UK //nɪɡˈəʊʃɪˌeɪt// ne·go·ti·ate
  1. 1 to reach an agreement (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    to talk with someone to reach an agreement, especially in business or politics.

    to confer with others to reach a compromise or formal agreement. Often used intransitively with 'with' or transitively with the agreement as the object.

    Example

    The union is meeting today to negotiate with the company for better pay.

    Example

    The diplomats worked through the night to negotiate a ceasefire that both nations could realistically support without losing face.

    Usage

    Often takes the preposition 'with' (the person) or 'for' (the goal).
  2. 2 to transfer a document (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical Formal Law

    to transfer a legal document, like a cheque, to another person so they can use it.

    to transfer a bill, draft, or other negotiable instrument to another person by delivery or endorsement.

    Example

    The bank will negotiate the cheque once you have signed the back of it.

    Example

    The commercial paper was negotiated to a third party, effectively transferring all rights of payment to the new holder.
Origin

c. 1598; borrowed from Latin negōtiātus, perfect active participle of negōtior (“to do business, trade”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix)), from negotium (“business”) + -or, from nec (“not”) + otium (“leisure, ease, inactivity”).

Word family

© 2026 English Reference