negative
UK: ˈnɛɡətɪv | US: ˈnɛɡətɪv
adj. expressing denial, refusal, or prohibition
adj. lacking positive qualities; pessimistic
n. a word or statement expressing denial or opposition
n. (photography) an image with reversed light and dark tones
The word negative traces back to the Latin negativus, derived from negare ("to deny"). The root neg- consistently conveys refusal or contradiction, seen in related words like negate and deny. The suffix -ative forms adjectives indicating a tendency or relationship (e.g., talkative). Over time, negative expanded from literal denial to abstract concepts like pessimism and photographic inversion.
Her response was negative, so we had to find another solution.
Constant negative thoughts can harm mental health.
The word "no" is a simple negative.
The photographer developed the film into a negative.
The test results came back negative for the virus.