negotiate
/nɪˈɡəʊ.ʃi.eɪt/ IELTSAcademic
verb
- 1.
To talk with someone to reach an agreement, especially in business, politics, or conflict. It often means each side gives and takes something.
- They negotiated a better salary.
- The two countries negotiated a peace deal.
- We negotiated with the seller for a lower price.
- 2.
To successfully get through a difficult place or situation, such as a road, crowd, or problem.
- The bus negotiated the narrow street easily.
- She negotiated the stairs with crutches.
- He negotiated the crowd and reached the gate.
Adinary Nuance
Negotiate is more active and formal than talk or discuss. Use it when both sides are trying to reach an agreement, often with some compromise. It is stronger and more specific than arrange, which only means to plan or organize something.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- đàm phán
- Spanish
- negociar
- Chinese
- 协商
- Japanese
- 交渉する
- Korean
- 협상하다
Etymology
Negotiate comes from Latin negotiari, meaning “to do business.” It entered English through French in the 15th century. The idea of business talk later developed into agreement-making.
Common phrases
negotiate a dealnegotiate with someonenegotiate termsnegotiate a settlement
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is negotiate formal or informal?
- It is fairly formal and common in business, law, and politics.
- What is the difference between negotiate and discuss?
- Discuss means talk about something. Negotiate means talk to reach an agreement.
- Can negotiate mean move through a place?
- Yes. It can also mean getting through a difficult route or situation.
- Is negotiate used in IELTS writing?
- Yes. It is useful in academic and formal topics, especially about agreements and conflict.