nuh-GOH-shuh-buhl
/nəˈɡoʊʃəbəl/
Negotiable is pronounced nuh-GOH-shuh-buhl (/nəˈɡoʊʃəbəl/). Negotiable is an adjective describing something that can be discussed or altered through bargaining. It indicates flexibility in terms, price, or conditions. The term is often used in business and legal contexts to denote that a value or requirement is not fixed and may be subject to negotiation.
adjectiveNegotiable is an adjective describing something that can be discussed or altered through bargaining. It indicates flexibility in terms, price, or conditions. The term is often used in business and legal contexts to denote that a value or requirement is not fixed and may be subject to negotiation.
"The price is negotiable, so feel free to make an offer."
"They included a clause that is negotiable depending on the purchaser’s credit evaluation."
"The terms are negotiable, but there are still hard limits on delivery times."
Pronounce as /nɪˈɡoʊ.ʃi.ə.bəl/. The primary stress falls on the second syllable: ni-GO-shi-a-ble. Start with n as in 'net,' then a short i, followed by a strong oʊ diphthong in GO, then ʃ (sh) for 'shi,' the schwa ə for the 'a' in 'able,' and finish with bəl where the final l is light. You can reference audio on Pronounce or dictionary audio for confirmation.
Common errors include misplacing the stress, saying ni-GO-shi-ah-bul with incorrect vowel lengths, and slurring the middle syllables. To correct: keep the second syllable stressed and clearly articulate the GOʊ diphthong, pronounce the 'shi' as a clean ʃi, use a short, neutral schwa for the 'a' in -able, and ensure the final -ble ends with a soft bəl rather than a hard -bul.
In US and UK, the primary stress remains on the second syllable, but vowel qualities differ slightly: US often yields nɪˈɡoʊ.ʃi.ə.bəl with a broader GOʊ, UK may have a slightly shorter oʊ, and AU tends toward a flatter vowel in some speakers. The final -able may reduce more in fast Australian speech, but the core rhythm remains: ni-GO-shi-a-ble with a clear ʃ in the middle.
The difficulty lies in the sequence of vowels and consonants: the GOʊ diphthong, the consonant cluster ʃi.ə, and the final -bəl pronunciation. Maintaining distinct syllables while not over-enunciating the -shi- and keeping the -able ending light requires careful mouth positioning and timing, especially for non-native speakers or those whose language lacks similar clusters.
A unique angle is the schwa placement in -able following ʃi:ə.bəl. Some speakers insert a tiny y-like glide between shi and ə, producing ʃi.jə and slight variation across accents. Monitoring the transition from the stressed GOʊ to the ʃ sound and then to ə helps ensure a natural, fluid pronunciation without tensing the jaw.
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Negotiable comes from the late Latin negotiabilis, meaning 'able to be done, dealt with, or carried on,' derived from negotium, meaning 'business, employment, task.' The English form appears in the 15th century as negotiable in sense 'fit to be negotiated' and relates to the broader family of words around negotiation and business. The modern sense of something capable of being bargained emerged in the 16th–17th centuries, aligning with the rise of commercial contracts and trade practices. The root negot- traces to Latin negotium (an item to be done or business), reflecting a shift from a specific task to a broader, negotiable state of terms. Over time, negotiable evolved to describe not only prices but any term or condition that could be altered by mutual agreement, maintaining a legal and commercial nuance today.
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Words that rhyme with "Negotiable"
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