Neg

Part of speech: verb

Definitions

1. A shorthand expression for a negative response or rejection ; an abbreviation used in certain contexts to indicate something is not positive ; an informal way to denote opposition or refusal
2. A colloquial abbreviation indicating denial or a lack of positivity ; an informal symbol for opposition or absence of approval ; used in communication to quickly convey a negative answer
3. An informal term signifying a negative result, disapproval, or repudiation ; commonly used as slang for saying no or rejecting something ; serves as a quick written or spoken short form for negativity

Etymology: "Neg" is a clipping of "negative," shortened the way many English words are trimmed in everyday speech, and it draws on the Latin "negare," meaning "to deny" or "to say no." The Latin verb is the root of the whole English family of negation words, including "negate," "negation," and "negative" itself, which came into English through Old French from Latin "negativus." The clipped form is what makes this one distinctive. Nobody coined "neg" as a formal term; it appeared in casual speech and writing where people wanted a quick way to signal refusal or a bad result. Its use as a short answer in conversation, especially in American English, is what gives it the sense of a blunt, informal "no."

Synonyms: deny, negate, refuse, reject, decline

Antonyms: affirm, accept, approve