Negotiate
To have formal discussions with someone in order to reach an agreement, especially in business or politics.
Examples
3 of 5I managed to negotiate a lower price for the car.
I talked to the seller and agreed on a cheaper price.
The government refused to negotiate with the striking workers.
The authorities would not hold discussions to settle the labor dispute.
Can you negotiate with your parents to stay out later?
Can you talk your parents into letting you come home later?
Word Family
Memory Tip
Negotiate starts with 'N' for 'No' — you start by saying 'no' to a bad price until you get a good one.
Quick Quiz
The union is ready to ______ for better working conditions.
Correct!
The correct answer is: negotiate
Examples
I managed to negotiate a lower price for the car.
everydayI talked to the seller and agreed on a cheaper price.
The government refused to negotiate with the striking workers.
formalThe authorities would not hold discussions to settle the labor dispute.
Can you negotiate with your parents to stay out later?
informalCan you talk your parents into letting you come home later?
Diplomats are attempting to negotiate a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
academicOfficials are trying to discuss a way to end the fight without violence.
Our legal team is currently negotiating the terms of the merger.
businessOur lawyers are discussing the specific rules for joining the two companies.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
open for negotiation
willing to discuss and change terms
room to negotiate
possibility of changing a price or deal
negotiate from strength
to discuss when you have an advantage
Often Confused With
To negotiate is to talk for oneself; to mediate is to help two other parties reach an agreement.
Usage Notes
Used both transitively (negotiate a deal) and intransitively (negotiate with someone).
Common Mistakes
Don't confuse 'negotiate' with 'compromise'; negotiating is the process, while compromising is the act of giving something up during that process.
Memory Tip
Negotiate starts with 'N' for 'No' — you start by saying 'no' to a bad price until you get a good one.
Word Origin
From Latin 'negotiari', meaning to carry on business.
Grammar Patterns
Cultural Context
Negotiation styles vary globally; some cultures are very direct, while others prioritize building a relationship first.
Quick Quiz
The union is ready to ______ for better working conditions.
Correct!
The correct answer is: negotiate
Related Vocabulary
More business words
Revenue
B2The total amount of income generated by the sale of goods or services related to the company's primary operations. It is often referred to as the 'top line' as it sits at the top of the income statement before any expenses are deducted.
Stakeholder
B2A person, group, or organization that has an interest or concern in an organization. Stakeholders can affect or be affected by the organization's actions, objectives, and policies.
Asset
B2A useful or valuable thing, person, or quality. In finance, it specifically refers to a resource with economic value that an individual or corporation owns or controls with the expectation that it will provide a future benefit.
Liability
B2The state of being legally responsible for something. In a financial context, it refers to a company's financial debts or obligations that arise during the course of business operations.
Merger
B2A legal consolidation of two entities into one, often to create a larger, more competitive company. Unlike an acquisition, it is usually presented as a friendly agreement between equals.
Acquisition
B2The act of one company purchasing most or all of another company's shares to gain control of it. It can also refer to the act of gaining a new skill, habit, or item.
Dividend
B2A sum of money paid regularly by a company to its shareholders out of its profits or reserves. It is a way for a company to share its financial success with those who invest in it.
Expenditure
B2The action of spending funds, or the total amount of money spent by a person, company, or government. It is a more formal term than 'spending'.
Investment
B2The act of putting money, effort, or time into something to make a profit or get an advantage. In finance, it specifically refers to purchasing assets like stocks, real estate, or bonds.
Profitability
B2The degree to which a business or activity yields profit or financial gain. It is a measurement of efficiency and the ultimate success of a company's operations.
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