Neikvæð

Neikvæð is an Icelandic adjective meaning negative. It is used to describe something that is opposite to positive, denotes a value below zero, or conveys a disfavored or harmful quality depending on the context. The word is widely used across everyday language, science, and mathematics.

In grammar, neikvæð functions as an ordinary Icelandic descriptive adjective and must agree with the noun it describes in gender and number. As a result, its endings change in accordance with Danish-like Icelandic inflection patterns, producing forms such as neikvæður, neikvæð, neikvætt, and corresponding plural forms. This inflection allows neikvæð to modify people, objects, concepts, and phenomena in a precise way.

In mathematics and science, neikvæð is used to express negation or a negative sign. A neikvæð tala refers to a negative number (for example, -3). In physics and chemistry, neikvæð hlaða describes a negative electric charge. The term also appears in everyday discourse to indicate unfavorable outcomes or attitudes, such as neikvæð viðhorf (negative attitudes) or neikvæð niðurstaða (negative result).

Etymologically, neikvæð is rooted in Old Norse and related Nordic linguistic developments that express negation or opposition. Today it remains a core term in Icelandic for describing negative quantities, values, or evaluations across multiple domains.