negotiate

UK: /nɪˈgəʊʃieɪt/ US: /nɪˈgoʊʃiˌeɪt/ ,(ni gō′shē āt′)

Inflections of 'negotiate' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

negotiates

v 3rd person singular

negotiating

v pres p

negotiated

v past

negotiated

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

ne•go•ti•ate /nɪˈgoʊʃiˌeɪt/   v., -at•ed, -at•ing. 

1. to deal, discuss, argue, or bargain with another or others, as in working out the terms of a contract: [no object]
   The union is negotiating with management.
   [~ + object]
   to negotiate a better deal.
2. to move through, around, or over in an effective, correct, or safe way:
   [~ + object] The car had trouble negotiating sharp curves.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

ne•go•ti•ate  (ni gō′shē āt′), v., -at•ed, -at•ing. 
v.i. 

1. to deal or bargain with another or others, as in the preparation of a treaty or contract or in preliminaries to a business deal.

v.t. 

2. to arrange for or bring about by discussion and settlement of terms:
   to negotiate a loan.
3. to manage;
   transact;
   conduct:
   He negotiated an important business deal.
4. to move through, around, or over in a satisfactory manner:
   to negotiate a difficult dance step without tripping: to negotiate sharp curves.
5. to transfer (a draft, promissory note, etc.) to a new owner by endorsement and delivery or by delivery.

• Latin negōtiātus (past participle of negōtiārī to trade), equivalent. to negōti(um) business (neg- not + ōtium leisure) + -ātus -ate¹
• 1590–1600

ne•go′ti•a′tor, n. 
Synonyms

• 5. convey, transmit, sign over.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

negotiate / nɪˈɡəʊʃɪˌeɪt/ verb

1. to work or talk (with others) to achieve (a transaction, an agreement, etc)
2. (transitive) to succeed in passing through, around, or over: to negotiate a mountain pass
3. (transitive) to transfer (a negotiable commercial paper) by endorsement to another in return for value received
4. to sell (financial assets)
5. to arrange for (a loan)

Etymology: 16th Century: from Latin negōtiārī to do business, from negōtium business, from nec not + ōtium leisure

neˈgotiˌator noun