Neikvæður

Neikvæður is an Icelandic adjective meaning negative. It describes something that is not positive or that has an adverse or downward quality. The term is used across domains, including mathematics, science, and everyday language, to signal a negative sign, unfavorable results, or pessimistic implications.

In mathematics and related fields, neikvæður denotes numbers with a negative sign and negative values, such as a negative value (neikvætt gildi). It is also used to describe negative results or effects in scientific or statistical contexts, for example neikvæð áhrif (negative effects).

In everyday language, neikvæður can describe attitudes, expectations, or forecasts that are unfavorable or discouraging. It is commonly paired with nouns to express negativity, such as neikvætt hugarfar (a negative mindset) or neikvæður niðurstaða (a negative result).

Grammar and usage note: neikvæður inflects for gender and number in Icelandic, yielding masculine, feminine, and neuter forms with corresponding plural forms. This inflection allows the adjective to agree with the noun it modifies, as is typical for Icelandic adjectives.

See also: neikvæðni (negativity), neikvæðni related terms. The concept is closely tied to notions of negation and contrast with the related term jákvæður (positive).