negotiable
B2Formal to neutral
Definition
Meaning
able to be discussed or changed before an agreement is reached
open to modification, compromise, or adjustment; not fixed or absolute; transferable (financial instruments)
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Often implies flexibility within certain boundaries; can describe both tangible terms (price) and intangible concepts (principles)
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Usage is remarkably consistent; no significant differences in meaning or application.
Connotations
Slightly more formal in British English, often found in business/legal contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in both dialects within professional and everyday contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[subject] + be + negotiable[subject] + make + [object] + negotiable[subject] + consider + [object] + negotiableVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Everything is negotiable”
- “The price is negotiable”
- “Car boot sale prices are often negotiable”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in contracts, salaries, prices, and terms of agreement.
Academic
Appears in economics, law, and political science texts discussing terms of treaties or agreements.
Everyday
Common when haggling over prices, especially for cars, houses, or at markets.
Technical
In finance, refers to instruments (like cheques) that can be transferred to another party.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The delivery date is negotiable if you order in bulk.
- She found the estate agent's fees were not negotiable.
- Is the asking price on your flat at all negotiable?
American English
- The salary for this position is negotiable based on experience.
- Everything in the contract is negotiable except for the confidentiality clause.
- Are your vacation days negotiable during the hiring process?
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The price is negotiable.
- Is it negotiable?
- The seller said the price was negotiable.
- We agreed that the deadline was negotiable.
- While the salary is fixed, the benefits package is highly negotiable.
- The terms of the peace treaty were still negotiable at that point in the discussions.
- The artist's moral rights over the work's presentation were the only non-negotiable element in an otherwise flexible contract.
- Political analysts argued that the nation's core sovereignty was not a negotiable commodity in the trade talks.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'negotiable' like a 'table' where people sit to 'negotiate' terms; if you can bring it to the table, it's negotiable.
Conceptual Metaphor
BARGAINING IS A JOURNEY (The path/terms can be altered); AGREEMENTS ARE STRUCTURES (Walls can be moved).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'негоциабельный' which is incorrect. Use 'подлежащий обсуждению', 'могущий быть обговоренным'.
- Do not confuse with 'переговорный' (related to negotiation process).
Common Mistakes
- Using 'negotiable' to mean 'easy to talk to' (use 'approachable').
- Misspelling as 'negociable'.
- Using as a noun ('He is a negotiable').
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'negotiable' LEAST likely to be used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, 'negotiable' is primarily an adjective. The related noun is 'negotiability'.
'Negotiable' implies something can be adjusted through discussion to reach an agreement. 'Debatable' means something is open to argument or dispute, not necessarily leading to a mutual settlement.
Yes, 'non-negotiable' is the direct and most common antonym, meaning not open for discussion or change.
It is neutral to formal. It is perfectly acceptable in business, legal, and academic writing, but can also be used in everyday conversation, especially in contexts involving money or agreements.