[ adj ] having a negative charge <adj.all> electrons are negative
Electro-negative \E*lec`tro-neg"a*tive\, Electronegative \E*lec`tro*neg"a*tive\, a. (Chem. & Physics) 1. Having the property of being attracted by an electro-positive body, or a tendency to pass to the positive pole in electrolysis, by the law that opposite electricities attract each other. Contrasted with {neutral} and {electropositive}
2. Negative; nonmetallic; acidic; -- opposed to {positive}, {metallic}, or {basic}.
3. (Physics) carrying a negative electrical charge. [PJC]
4. (Chem. and Physics) having a tendency to take up electrons and form negative ions; having a relatively positive electrode potential. [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]