English pronunciation · Words Starting with N
Negative Pronunciation
Negative is pronounced NE-guh-tiv, IPA /ˈnɛgətɪv/.
NE-guh-tiv
US /ˈnɛgətɪv/ · UK /ˈnɛgəˌtɪv/
Syllables: NE · guh · tiv (3 syllables, stress on syllable 1)
adjective and noun: Expressing refusal or disagreement, less than zero, or a developed photographic image.
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Negative in a Sentence
- The test came back negative.
- Try not to be negative about the plan.
- She found the old negative in a drawer.
Common Mispronunciations of Negative
Not ni-GAY-tiv
The opening NE is loud and short, and the gay of negate never surfaces in this word.
Not NE-guh-teev
The ending is a weak tiv, the same close that relative and active carry.
Tip: Negate and negation both stretch that middle vowel, and negative keeps it flat.
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