negative sign
B2Technical/Formal/Neutral
Definition
Meaning
The symbol '-' used in mathematics and other fields to denote subtraction, a negative quantity, or opposition.
Any indicator, symbol, gesture, or signal that expresses negation, denial, refusal, or the absence or opposite of something.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mathematical term but used metaphorically in broader contexts. As a compound noun, the stress pattern is typically on the first syllable of 'negative'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. Spelling conventions ('maths' vs. 'math') may affect surrounding phrasing. Use of 'minus sign' as a near-synonym is equally common in both variants.
Connotations
Identical technical connotations. In extended metaphorical use, may carry slightly more formal weight than alternatives like 'minus'.
Frequency
Equally frequent in technical/mathematical registers. Slightly less common in everyday speech than 'minus'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The negative sign (is/indicates/shows) [QUANTITY/CONCEPT].Apply/Place a negative sign before [NUMBER].Interpret the negative sign as [MEANING].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “a negative sign of the times”
- “take it as a negative sign”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
In financial reports to indicate losses, deficits, or downward trends.
Academic
In mathematics, physics, chemistry, and economics to denote values less than zero or directional opposition.
Everyday
Used when discussing temperatures below zero or bank account overdrafts.
Technical
Precise notation in programming, engineering, and scientific formulae.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- A negative-sign value requires careful bracketing in the formula.
American English
- The negative-sign result was unexpected.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The number has a negative sign in front of it.
- The temperature is -5. The negative sign means it is very cold.
- Don't forget to put a negative sign before your answer if it's below zero.
- A bank balance with a negative sign shows you owe money.
- In the equation, you must distribute the negative sign across the terms in the brackets.
- The analyst viewed the sudden drop in sales as a negative sign for the upcoming quarter.
- The presence of a negative sign in the coefficient indicates an inverse relationship between the variables.
- His refusal to engage in dialogue was interpreted by diplomats as a profoundly negative sign for the peace process.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a thermometer dropping BELOW zero; the line marking '0' is like a minus sign '-' showing negative temperatures.
Conceptual Metaphor
DIRECTION IS VALUE (left/down is negative), OPPOSITION IS A SYMBOL.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'негативный знак' in mathematical contexts; use 'знак минус'.
- In non-mathematical metaphorical use, 'negative sign' can be translated as 'плохой знак' or 'отрицательный сигнал', depending on context.
Common Mistakes
- Confusing the negative sign with a hyphen or dash in writing.
- Incorrect placement in complex algebraic expressions (e.g., -3²).
- Using 'negative sign' to refer to a 'no' gesture (thumbs down) is rare and potentially confusing.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'negative sign' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
In mathematics, they are functionally identical. 'Minus sign' is more common in elementary arithmetic (e.g., 5 - 3), while 'negative sign' is often used to specify the polarity of a number (e.g., -7).
Yes, it can be used metaphorically to mean an indicator of something bad or unfavorable (e.g., 'His silence was a negative sign'). However, this usage is less common than straightforward mathematical use.
Stress the first syllable of 'negative' (/ˈneɡətɪv/) and the word 'sign' (/saɪn/). The pronunciation does not differ between British and American English.
The direct opposite is 'positive sign' or 'plus sign' (+).